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.
Thank God
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That the saints have travelled on
Paved with all the tribulations
Of the [A] martyrs that have [D7] gone
If you`re [G] grateful for their vict`ries
And for showin` us the way
Then give thanks for all your blessin`s
Get [D7] on your knees and [G] pray.
[Chorus]
Thank God for ev`ry flower and each tree
Thank God for all the [A] mountains and the [D7] seas
Thank [G] God for givin` life to you and me
Wherever you may [D7] be, Thank [G] God.
In this world of grief and sorrow
Filled with selfishness and greed
There remains the Glory Fountain
To supply our every need
You can find it in the temple
With a welcome on the door
But be sure to count your blessin`s
Before you ask for more.
[Chorus]
Be forgivin to the wayward
Like the Master told us to
When He said forgive them Father
For they know not what they do
They would change their way of livin`
If they could but understand
So remember they`re your brothers
They need a helpin` hand.
[Chorus]
Hank Williams's song "Thank God" is a lyrical expression of gratitude towards nature and human relationships. The song begins with a reference to a "straight and narrow" road, which is the path taken by saints and martyrs. The road is paved with tribulations, but its ultimate destination is heaven. The road represents the journey of life, and the saints and martyrs serve as examples or guides for living a virtuous and devout life. The singer advises the listeners to be grateful for the victories of the saints and martyrs, and to give thanks for their blessings. The grace of God is to be felt in every aspect of nature, from mountains to the seas. The message is clear - one should always be grateful for the blessings in their life.
The middle section of the song highlights the importance of the Glory Fountain, a source which supplies the necessary resources for sustenance. The Glory Fountain can be found in the temple, and before asking for more blessings, it is essential to count one's existing blessings. The singer advocates the need for this approach in a world full of grief, selfishness and greed.
The final stanza conveys the message of forgiveness and compassion. One should help the wayward and be forgiving towards them, as directed by the Master. The people who are misguided and wayward need a helping hand, as they do not understand the consequences of their actions. The idea is to work for the betterment of society as a whole and make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a road that's straight and narrow
There is a path that is righteous and true
That the saints have travelled on
Saints before us have walked this path
Paved with all the tribulations
This path is difficult and filled with hardships
Of the martyrs that have gone
Many of those before us have sacrificed and given their lives
If you're grateful for their vict'ries
If you are thankful for their successes
And for showin' us the way
And for leading us towards the path of righteousness
Then give thanks for all your blessin's
Then express gratitude for all the good things in your life
Get on your knees and pray
And humble yourself before God in prayer
Thank God for ev'ry flower and each tree
Be grateful for the beauty and abundance of nature
Thank God for all the mountains and the seas
Express gratitude for the wonders of the earth
Thank God for givin' life to you and me
Give thanks for the precious gift of life
Wherever you may be, Thank God.
Always remember to express gratitude no matter where you are
In this world of grief and sorrow
This world can be full of pain and sadness
Filled with selfishness and greed
And can be plagued with selfishness and greed
There remains the Glory Fountain
But despite all this, God's glory remains present
To supply our every need
And can provide for all our needs
You can find it in the temple
This can be found in a place of worship
With a welcome on the door
Where you will be welcomed with open arms
But be sure to count your blessin's
But first recognize and be thankful for all the good in your life
Before you ask for more
Before making any requests or asking for more
Be forgivin' to the wayward
Forgive those who have gone astray
Like the Master told us to
Just as Jesus instructed us to forgive others
When He said forgive them Father
As he prayed on the cross, 'Father, forgive them.'
For they know not what they do
For they may not understand the impact of their actions
They would change their way of livin'
If these individuals were shown the impact of their actions, they might change their ways
If they could but understand,
If only they could comprehend the error of their ways
So remember they're your brothers
Remember that everyone is your brother or sister in God's eyes
They need a helpin' hand.
Realize that they need support and help along the way
Thank God for ev'ry flower and each tree
Give thanks for the beauty and abundance of nature
Thank God for all the mountains and the seas
Express gratitude for the wonders of the earth
Thank God for givin' life to you and me
Give thanks for the precious gift of life
Wherever you may be, Thank God.
Always remember to express gratitude no matter where you are
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRED ROSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bangwezl
Amen we need to thank God for his grace and mercy everyday
Todd Radford
my. grand Paul
Mary Jones
One of my favorite songs from childhood. Thank God for songs like this.
john maidment
Hank Spirit alive and well long as people sing his and listen to Hank sing it like only he could Thank You Sir
Graziella Marchicelli
I never tire of this one, it's just so good. Unadorned, honest, direct. Just his guitar. To think he could sing these words even though he was in pain all the time.
cory arnold
Thank God for a roof over my head,my truck,my dog..My health ..I can still walk and talk.Im sorry God for my times of ungratefulness..
bruce wouters
Redemption is your my brother in Christ
Brandon
Every breath we take each day is a blessing from God!
Patricia Johns
Where ever you may be; THANK GOD! How true, thank you Hank Williams
Peggy Lee Kight
I love Hank's gospel songs! He was one of a kind!