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.
Tennessee Border
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her smile was like an angel fair
She was her daddy's only daughter
On the Tennessee Border
[Chorus]
One night I took a ride just across the line
I picked her up in a pickup truckAnd she broke this heart of mine
Her mama said, "No-o, she's my only daughter,"
But we got married on the Tennessee Border.
The roses were bloomin' there on the Border
The moon was shinin' there
Her personality made me want her
On the Tennessee Border.
[Chorus]
In the lyrics of Hank Williams's song "Tennessee Border", the singer tells the story of how he fell in love with a girl from Tennessee. His description of her is one of innocence and beauty, with her blue eyes, auburn hair, and an angelic smile. She is the only daughter of her father, and her mother is protective of her. The singer meets her one night and picks her up in his pickup truck. However, her mother is against their relationship, and her father is not mentioned in the song. Despite the obstacles they face, they marry on the Tennessee Border, in a romantic setting where the roses are blooming, and the moon is shining. The singer is clearly smitten with her personality, which is enough to convince him to marry her, despite her mother's objections.
The lyrics of "Tennessee Border" capture the essence of small-town romance, where relationships are carefully scrutinized by parents and other family members. The song paints a picture of a young couple who are determined to be together, no matter what. The singer is in love with the Tennessee girl and is willing to go to great lengths to win her heart. It is a simple and heartfelt song that tells a story of passion and devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
Her eyes were blue, her hair was auburn
The woman Hank Williams met had striking blue eyes and auburn hair.
Her smile was like an angel fair
The woman had a beautiful, angelic smile.
She was her daddy`s only daughter
The woman was the sole daughter of her father.
On the Tennessee Border
Hank met the woman on the border of Tennessee and another state.
One night I took a ride just across the line
Hank took a ride to the other side of the Tennessee border.
I picked her up in a pickup truck
Hank used a pickup truck to transport the woman he met.
And she broke this heart of mine
The woman broke Hank's heart.
Her mama said: "No-o, she`s my only daughter,"
The woman's mother was protective of her only daughter.
But we got married on the Tennessee Border.
Despite the woman's mother's disapproval, Hank and the woman got married on the Tennessee border.
The roses were bloomin` there on the Border
The border of Tennessee was embellished with blooming roses.
The moon was shinin` there
It was a clear night, and the moon was illuminating the Tennessee border.
Her personality made me want her
In addition to her appearance, Hank was attracted to the woman's personality.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY WORK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ConRod65
God I love Hank!
@joeyguy1952
When country music was country music
@thomaspena1099
hank you are the man
@bobwench4149
Sounds like daddy, that's for sure.... Awesome 👍😎
@waderaney7
Excellent version
@docsbuying
Dan rather and jack white interview brought me here 😊
@elvispresley2021
Tennessee. My Home.
@gamerobamafortnite
mine too son
@ArdavanKhoshkhoo
lucky guy
@jean-bernardlalanne2808
Interprète exeptionnel.