Born in Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama, Williams moved to Georgiana, where he met Rufus Payne, a black street performer who gave him guitar lessons in exchange for meals. Payne had a major influence on Williams's later musical style. During this time, Williams informally changed his name to Hank, believing it to be a better name for country music. After moving to Montgomery, Williams began his career in 1937 when WSFA radio station producers hired him to perform and host a 15-minute program. He formed as backup the Drifting Cowboys band, which was managed by his mother, and dropped out of school to devote all of his time to his career.
When several of his band members were conscripted to military service during World War II, Williams had trouble with their replacements and started drinking heavily, causing WSFA to dismiss him. Williams eventually married Audrey Sheppard, who became his manager for nearly a decade. After recording "Never Again" and "Honky Tonkin'" with Sterling Records, he signed a contract with MGM Records. In 1948 he released "Move it on Over," which became a hit, and also joined the Louisiana Hayride radio program. In 1949, he released a cover of "Lovesick Blues," which carried him into the mainstream of music. After an initial rejection, Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry. He had 11 number one songs between 1948 and 1953, though he was unable to read or notate music to any significant degree. Among the hits he wrote were "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."
During his last years Williams's consumption of alcohol, morphine and other painkillers severely compromised his professional and personal life. He divorced his wife and was dismissed by the Grand Ole Opry due to frequent drunkenness. Williams died suddenly in the early morning hours of New Years Day in 1953 at the age of 29. Despite his short life, Williams has had a major influence on country music. The songs he wrote and recorded have been covered by numerous artists, many of whom have also had hits with the tunes, in a range of pop, gospel, blues and rock styles.
Alabama governor Gordon Persons officially proclaimed September 21 "Hank Williams Day". The first celebration, in 1954 featured the unveiling of a monument at the Cramton Bowl, that was later placed in the grave site of Williams. The ceremony featured Ferlin Husky interpreting "I Saw the Light".[70]
Williams had 11 number one hits in his career ("Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Why Don't You Love Me," "Moanin' the Blues," "Cold, Cold Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive," "Kaw-Liga," "Your Cheatin' Heart," and "Take These Chains from My Heart"), as well as many other top ten hits.[71]
In 1961, Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he was inducted in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1987, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the category Early Influence. He was ranked second in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003, behind only Johnny Cash. His son, Hank Jr., was ranked on the same list. In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked him number 74 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The website Acclaimedmusic, which collates recommendations of albums and recording artists, has a year-by-year recommendation for top artists. Hank Williams is ranked first for the decade 1940–1949 for his song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Many rock and roll pioneers of the 1950s, such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded Williams songs early in their careers.
Swing Wide Your Gate of Love
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew when I first met you that you'd be my sweetheart
Swing wide your gate of love and please don't let me fall
I know you're gonna love me after all
(Chorus)
Swing wide the gate and leave it open
Towards the center of your heart I'll be bound
And I'll mend the heart that has been broken
So, swing wide your gate of love, open it for me
For you are the one I want, my darlin', can't you see
Make up your mind to like me and to be my turtledove
I love you, so swing wide your gate of love
(Repeat chorus)
(Repeat last verse)
In Hank Williams's song Swing Wide Your Gate of Love, the singer is addressing the person he loves, urging them to open up their heart and allow him to come in. He pleads with them to "swing wide" the gate of love and not let him fall. The singer has been smitten with this person from the moment they met, and now he is asking them to open up their heart to him fully. He promises not to let them down, and that he will mend their broken heart. The chorus repeats the same message, urging the person to let the singer in and promising to be a faithful partner.
The lyrics of this song reflect the classic country music theme of love and heartbreak, and the desire for a lifelong partner. The song has a simple and catchy melody, with a traditional country sound. The lyrics themselves are straightforward and easy to understand, without any complicated metaphors or symbolism. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the message of the song and makes it easy for listeners to sing along.
Line by Line Meaning
Swing wide your gate of love, open wide up your heart
Please be open with your feelings and let me into your life
I knew when I first met you that you'd be my sweetheart
I was struck by how wonderful you were when I met you and knew that I wanted to be with you
Swing wide your gate of love and please don't let me fall
Please don't reject me, I am opening myself up to you
I know you're gonna love me after all
I am optimistic that eventually you will return my affections
Swing wide the gate and leave it open
Be vulnerable with me and keep your heart open for me
Towards the center of your heart I'll be bound
I am drawn to you and want to be at the core of your being
And I'll mend the heart that has been broken
I want to heal any past hurts you have experienced in love
I'm not the kind of guy to let you down
I am dependable and will be there for you
So, swing wide your gate of love, open it for me
Please let me in and give me a chance to love you
For you are the one I want, my darlin', can't you see
You are the one for me, can't you feel the same?
Make up your mind to like me and to be my turtledove
Please decide to give me a chance and be my faithful companion
I love you, so swing wide your gate of love
I am in love with you, please let me into your heart
(Repeat chorus)
This is the repeated chorus
(Repeat last verse)
The verse at the end is repeated
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phoenix Rampart
What a gorgeous voice.
Judy Anderson
Beautiful song, beautiful voice It's like I've stumbled onto a treasure chest of gems when I haven't heard it before. Ty
Lembit Punapart
Hank is one the greatest country and blues singers of all.
AlanPaladin
I bought it brand new, on a new (Hank Release) cassette tape, back in 1992 or 1993. The name of the cassette is - There's Nothing as Sweet as My Baby.
Michael Boyce
This Album now only available as a Mp3 Download on Google Play and Amazon.
ilvescuso 55
You can find the vinyl on amazon!
Michael Boyce
The Mp3 Download runs slower in beat than this one,sadly.
Wade Raney
A 👍song from a Treasured Guy🙏
John Robert
What a pretty song
john maidment
Never Heard This One Before Thank You