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 Pale Horse and His Rider
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the Dear Saviour; who`s pleading to- day
What will you do; when the Saviour ain`t nigh
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
The time now ain`t long; when the Saviour will come
Then you`ll be judged; by the deeds you have done
On that judgment day; you`ll weep and you`ll cryWhen the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
When that trumpet sounds; on the sinners below
Not even the angels; in heaven will know
Then`s when you`ll wish; you had Jesus nigh
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
Won`t you redeem; your poor wicked soul
You can`t pay your way; with Silver and Gold
If you`re not saved; you`ll be lost in the night
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
The Pale Horse and His Rider is a gospel song, written and performed by Hank Williams. The lyrics are a warning to sinners who are drifting away from the Savior, whose judgment day is coming soon. The song emphasizes the importance of salvation and the need to do good deeds in order to avoid weeping and crying on judgment day. The Pale Horse and his rider symbolize death and judgment, respectively, and are a reminder that one's time on earth is limited.
The first verse addresses the sinners who are drifting away from the Savior, emphasizing the importance of staying close to Jesus. The second verse warns that the judgment day is coming and emphasizes that one will be judged by their deeds. The third verse tells of the trumpet that will sound on the judgment day, emphasizing that not even angels will know when that day will come. The last verse encourages the sinners to redeem their souls and highlights the futility of trying to pay off sin with silver and gold.
Overall, The Pale Horse and His Rider is a powerful song that emphasizes the importance of salvation and good deeds, and warns against drifting away from the Savior.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen poor sinner; you`re driftin` away
You are losing your way and moving further away from the Savior.
From the Dear Saviour; who`s pleading to- day
The Savior is calling to you and asking for you to return to him.
What will you do; when the Saviour ain`t nigh
What will you do when the Savior is not nearby to protect or save you?
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
When death comes and takes you, what will you do?
The time now ain`t long; when the Saviour will come
The time when the Savior will come is approaching quickly.
Then you`ll be judged; by the deeds you have done
You will be judged based on your actions and choices.
On that judgment day; you`ll weep and you`ll cry
On the day of judgment, you will cry and be sorrowful.
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
When death comes, how will you react?
When that trumpet sounds; on the sinners below
On judgment day, the trumpet will sound for all sinners to be judged.
Not even the angels; in heaven will know
The judgment of sinners is unknown even to the angels in heaven.
Then`s when you`ll wish; you had Jesus nigh
At that moment, you will wish for the presence of Jesus.
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
When death takes you, what will you do?
Won`t you redeem; your poor wicked soul
Won't you save your soul from sin and evil?
You can`t pay your way; with Silver and Gold
You cannot buy forgiveness or salvation with wealth.
If you`re not saved; you`ll be lost in the night
If you do not receive salvation, you will be lost in the darkness.
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
When death comes, will you be prepared?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERVIN STAGGS, WALTER BAILES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MadAnthonyWayne
Listen poor sinner; you're driftin' away
From the Dear Saviour; who's pleading today
What will you do; when the Saviour ain't nigh
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
The time now ain't long; when the Saviour will come
Then you'll be judged; by the deeds you have done
On that judgement day; you'll weep and you'll cry
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
When that trumpet sounds; on the sinners below
Not even the angels; in heaven will know
Then's when you'll wish; you had Jesus nigh
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
Won't you redeem; your poor wicked soul
You can't pay your way; with Silver and Gold
If you're not saved; you'll be lost in the night
When the Pale Horse and his rider goes by?
@SlipKnotRicky
Rev_6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Pale actually refers to a greenish color
Strong's Concordance G5515
χλωρός
chlōros
khlo-ros'
From the same as G5514; greenish, that is, verdant, dun-colored: - green, pale.
@mpreiss7780
Guy's a national treasure. His songs are special
@shirleybenett8051
Agree
@martinhunt5224
There'll never be another Hank Williams, friends.
@piddler5188
+Martin Hunt Exactly what I was thinking! Genius!
@charlesmaines6706
His grandson is doing alright, though.
@fawadmalik2477
True
@jaxrevenj3577
Wouldn't be right if there were.
@jeaneenshaw
No one can sing like Hank Williams, one of a kind!💕
@user-sl5wj4cl6p
For some reason I just luv it when he says "Friends it's hymn time now."
@user-rb7qc8cr8d
This was truely 1 of the best country stars of all time. The music of Hank Williams is being played in HEAVEN.