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.
We're Getting Closer to the Grave Each Day
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jesus died to wash your sins away
Oh, please heed His call, in sin don?t fall
We?re getting closer to the grave each day
We?re getting closer to the grave each day
Mortal man, won?t you stop now and pray
Leave the road of sin alone, let Jesus lead you home
We?re getting closer to the grave each day
They nailed His hands, they pierced His sides
On His head the thorns did lay
Be prepared to go, one thing we know
We're getting closer to the grave each day
On the judgment day, when the book is read
There'll be no use to pray
So each day you live, love and forgive
We're getting closer to the grave each day
Hank Williams's song "We're Getting Closer to the Grave Each Day" is a poignant reminder of our finite mortality and the consequences of neglecting our deeper spiritual needs. The song's opening verse asserts Jesus's sacrifice for humankind's release from sin. The message is clear - to heed Jesus's call, to acknowledge the significance of His redemption, and to avoid sin, as the nearness of death looms.
Through the verses, the song's message is repeated, each conveying a different aspect of the human experience. The narrative of Jesus's torture and crucifixion emphasized the importance of remembering sacrifice in the face of our worldly selfishness. The song encourages us to love and forgive others while we live, reminding us that there will be no recourse for our actions in front of the ultimate Judge. The final verse is a clear and simple confirmation of the preceding verses. We are getting closer to the grave every day, and we ought to recognize the urgency of being mindful of our spiritual well-being.
Hank Williams's "We're Getting Closer to the Grave Each Day" elevates the struggle of humans facing their mortality and their relationship with God. Through the song, he seeks to remind us that every moment is a precious opportunity to live meaningfully, compassionately and with faith. Despite being written nearly seventy years ago, the song's message is universal and resonates as strongly today as it did in Hank Williams's time.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, don?t you know that Jesus died to wash your sins away
Jesus Christ gave his life for humanity's redemption and salvation from sins.
Oh, please heed His call, in sin don?t fall
It's essential to follow Jesus's teachings and listen to His words while avoiding sinful acts.
We?re getting closer to the grave each day
Death is inevitable, and every passing day brings us one step closer to our eventual end.
Mortal man, won?t you stop now and pray
As human beings, we must turn to prayer to seek guidance and strengthen our relationship with God.
Leave the road of sin alone, let Jesus lead you home
Abandon sinful ways, and trust in Jesus to guide you on a path towards eternal life.
They nailed His hands, they pierced His sides, On His head the thorns did lay
This line refers to Jesus's suffering and sacrifice on the cross, where He was tortured and crucified.
Be prepared to go, one thing we know, We're getting closer to the grave each day
We must be ready to face our own mortality and prepare ourselves for eternal life as every moment on this earth brings us closer to our death.
On the judgment day, when the book is read, There'll be no use to pray
During the Day of Judgment, when our earthly deeds are evaluated, prayer will be of no use, and only our actions will speak for us.
So each day you live, love and forgive, We're getting closer to the grave each day
Every day that we are alive, we must strive to lead a life of love and forgiveness towards our fellow beings as we approach the unavoidable end.
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