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.
They'll Never Take Her Love From Me
Hank Williams Lyrics
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There is one who's smiling face the Gods would see
'Cause she'll walk along beside me up to golden stairs
Oh they'll never never take her love from me
What a fool I was to go and break the trust she gave
And to see her love turn into sympathy
It's the one regret I'll carry with me to my grave
Oh they'll never never take her love from me
I'm so thankful for each golden hour of happiness
That we shared together in the used to be
Someone else's arms may hold her now in uncaress
But they'll never never take her love from me
I thought I'd make her happy if I'd step aside
But I knew her love would never set me free
And even on the morning she became another's bride
I said they'll never never take her love from me
In Hank Williams's song They'll Never Take Her Love from Me, the singer reflects on his previous relationship and how he made the mistake of breaking the trust that his partner had in him. He acknowledges that he lost her love and saw it turn into sympathy after his betrayal. He realizes that this is the one regret that he will carry with him to his grave. Despite the fact that she is now with someone else, he knows that they will never take her love away from him. He is thankful for the happiness that they shared together and even though she is in someone else's arms now, he knows that her love will always be with him.
The lyrics are a reflection of the pain and regret that comes with losing someone's love due to one's actions. The singer is aware of the gravity of his mistakes and understands the consequences of his actions. The line "someone else's arms may hold her now in uncaress" shows his acceptance of the fact that his former partner is with someone else. However, he remains confident and feels that no one can take her love from him.
The song resonates with people who have lost a loved one due to their mistakes or untimely circumstances. The lyrics show that even though we may lose people, the memories and love that we shared with them will always remain with us. The song's melody and Hank Williams's singing style also adds to the melancholic tone of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
If today the sun should set on all my hopes and cares
If I lose all hope and have nothing left in life
There is one who's smiling face the Gods would see
I have one person in my life who makes me happy and she would be admired by the Gods
'Cause she'll walk along beside me up to golden stairs
She is loyal and will stay by my side, even in the afterlife
Oh they'll never never take her love from me
No one will ever take my love for her away from me
What a fool I was to go and break the trust she gave
I regret betraying her trust and causing her love to turn into sympathy
And to see her love turn into sympathy
I witnessed her love turning into pity for me
It's the one regret I'll carry with me to my grave
I will always regret breaking her trust and losing her love
I'm so thankful for each golden hour of happiness
I am grateful for every happy moment we shared together
That we shared together in the used to be
We shared these happy moments in the past
Someone else's arms may hold her now in uncaress
She may be in another's arms now, but they do not appreciate her love
But they'll never never take her love from me
No one will ever take my love for her away from me
I thought I'd make her happy if I'd step aside
I thought I was doing what was best for her by leaving her
But I knew her love would never set me free
I knew that her love was the only thing that could truly make me happy
And even on the morning she became another's bride
Even on her wedding day to someone else
I said they'll never never take her love from me
No one will ever take my love for her away from me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leon Payne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind