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.
The Devil's Train
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It rides on rails of fear
It's headin' for destruction now
With a drunken engineer
Oh see the greatness of the crowd
That waits beside the track
They're leavin' on that Devil's Train
Oh Lord, please stop that terrible train
Before it is too late
And teach them how to bow their heads
Before it steals their fate
The Devil's Train will take you
To a land of groans and pain
You'll spend your days in sorrow
If you ride that Devil's Train
Oh listen to that whistle scream
Like echoes from the blue
The blood is white and spouting steam
She's on her way to doom
Oh Lord, please stop that terrible train
Before it is too late
And teach them how to bow their heads
Before it steals their fate
The Devil's Train is long and black
It's beautiful to see
It offers you temptation
But it gives you misery
So come and ride that glorious train
Where happiness is free
It's on its way to heaven now
To spend eternity
Oh Lord, please stop that terrible train
Before it is too late
And teach them how to bow their heads
Before it steals their fate
In "The Devil's Train," Hank Williams uses symbolism to warn his listeners of the dangers of sin and temptation. The Devil's Train is a long and black locomotive that rides on rails of fear and is driven by a drunken engineer. As the train approaches, Williams describes the greatness of the crowd that waits beside the track, ready to board the train and leave forever. The train represents temptation, and Williams implores the Lord to stop the train before it's too late and to teach the passengers how to bow their heads before it steals their fate.
The lyrics of the song emphasize the dire consequences of giving in to temptation, with Williams warning that the Devil's Train will take passengers to a land of groans and pain, where they will spend their days in sorrow. The whistle of the train is described as screaming like echoes from the blue, and the blood is white and spouting steam, creating a vivid and haunting image of the train hurtling towards destruction. Williams offers a message of hope, urging listeners to avoid temptation and to ride the glorious train to happiness, which is on its way to heaven.
Overall, "The Devil's Train" is a powerful warning against the dangers of succumbing to temptation and the importance of resisting the allure of sin in order to achieve eternal happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
The Devil's Train is long and black
The Devil's Train is a sinister vehicle that stretches out far and looks menacing
It rides on rails of fear
The Devil's Train moves on tracks of terror and fright
It's headin' for destruction now
The Devil's Train is headed towards disaster and ruin
With a drunken engineer
An intoxicated driver is behind the wheel of the Devil's Train
Oh see the greatness of the crowd
Notice the vast number of people gathered together
That waits beside the track
All of them are waiting near the train tracks
They're leavin' on that Devil's Train
They're departing on the ominous vehicle known as the Devil's Train
And never comin' back
They won't return from their journey on the Devil's Train
Oh Lord, please stop that terrible train
A plea to God to halt the dangerous Devil's Train
Before it is too late
Before irreversible harm has been done
And teach them how to bow their heads
To show them how to submit themselves humbly
Before it steals their fate
So that their destiny won't be taken away by the Devil's Train
The Devil's Train will take you
The Devil's Train will transport you
To a land of groans and pain
To an area marked by anguish and suffering
You'll spend your days in sorrow
You'll be unhappy every day
If you ride that Devil's Train
If you travel on the Devil's Train
Oh listen to that whistle scream
Pay attention to the shrill noise coming from the train's whistle
Like echoes from the blue
It's like an echo originating from the sky
The blood is white and spouting steam
The steam coming out of the train looks like blood, and it's shooting out rapidly
She's on her way to doom
The train is headed towards failure and downfall
The Devil's Train is long and black
The Devil's Train is still a long, black, and scary vehicle
It's beautiful to see
Despite its ominous nature, the Devil's Train is striking to look at
It offers you temptation
The Devil's Train puts forth the temptation of boarding it
But it gives you misery
Yet, it ultimately brings immense suffering to those that ride it
So come and ride that glorious train
An ironic invitation to ride the ominous Devil's Train
Where happiness is free
Where joy is present without cost
It's on its way to heaven now
Despite its devilish name and appearance, the train is departing to heaven
To spend eternity
To stay there forever
Oh Lord, please stop that terrible train
A repetition of the plea to stop the destructive Devil's Train
Before it is too late
Once again, asking for intervention before any harm is done
And teach them how to bow their heads
Asking God to show people the path of humility
Before it steals their fate
Asking God to save their destiny from the clutches of the Devil's Train
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARLISLE, FOREE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@georgelaconga1493
The Devil's Train is long and black
It rides on rails of fear
It's headin' for destruction now
With a drunken engineer
Oh see the greatness of the crowd
That waits beside the track
They're leavin' on that Devil's Train
And never comin' back
Oh Lord, please stop that terrible train
Before it is too late
And teach them how to bow their heads
Before it steals their fate
The Devil's Train will take you
To a land of groans and pain
You'll spend your days in sorrow
If you ride that Devil's Train
Oh listen to that whistle scream
Like echoes from the blue
The blood is white and spouting steam
She's on her way to doom
Oh Lord, please stop that terrible train
Before it is too late
And teach them how to bow their heads
Before it steals their fate
The Devil's Train is long and black
It's beautiful to see
It offers you temptation
But it gives you misery
So come and ride that glorious train
Where happiness is free
It's on its way to heaven now
To spend eternity
Oh Lord, please stop that terrible train
Before it is too late
And teach them how to bow their heads
Before it steals their fate
@creighton8069
This song was my introduction to Hank Williams many years ago. I am a 4th generation Hank Williams fan, my great grandpa saw him at the opry!
@markjones7185
The melody, the chords, actually very modern. Hank, always ahead of his time.
@bethelgospeloutreachminist9068
It is really interesting and educational to hear this version after hearing Roy Acuff’s version for many years. I realize that Williams wrote it. I love both versions!
@jessebaggs3694
A great country song writer, I listen to these songs growing up in kerman California, my dad would sing hank Williams songs and my mom kitty wells songs.
@malcolmnicoll1165
One of Hank's best. Thanks for posting.
@soulman4692
Have heard it today on Rockabilly-Radio...!!!
@jessebaggs3694
Log train, one of his best.
@MrGeno502
So glad to have this song back on YouTube. Thanks for posting!
@johnjurkewicz9925
I love listening to Great songs like is and I love it
@chancewatkins5071
Thanks for sharing; Jesus Christ Bless! :)