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.
Weary Blues From Waitin'
Hank Williams Lyrics
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Lord, I've been waitin' too long
These blues have got me cryin'
Oh, sweet ma-a-ma, please come home
The snow falls 'round my window
But it can't chill my heart
God knows it died the day you left
Weary blues from waitin'
Lord, I've been waitin' too long
These blues have got me cryin'
Oh, sweet ma-a-ma, please come home
Through tears I watch young lovers
As they go strollin' by
Oh, all the things that might have been
God forgive me if I cry
Weary blues from waitin'
Lord, I've been waitin' too long
These blues have got me cryin'
Oh, sweet ma-a-ma, please come home
Weary Blues From Waitin' is a classic song by country singer Hank Williams. The lyrics of this song tell a story of a man who has been waiting for his lover for far too long. It’s evident from the first verse that the man is in a deep state of sadness and despair, as the “weary blues” have been hitting him hard. He pleads with his lover to come home in the hope that his blues will disappear. The second verse goes on to describe the weather outside, which is cold and snowy, a mood that is mirrored in his heart since his lover’s departure. He says that his heart has been numb since she left, and his dream world fell apart.
In the third verse, he watches young couples walking past and is reminded of what could have been had his lover not left him. He is filled with regret, and tears fill his eyes as he realizes the mistake he made. The pleading throughout the song shows the desperation and deep longing he has for his lover to return to him. The song’s message suggests that heartbreak can cause raw emotions and feelings that can be hard to shake, and the only cure is to find solace in the arms of a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Weary blues from waitin'
I'm feeling sad and tired from waiting for someone.
Lord, I've been waitin' too long
I've been waiting for a long time, and it's becoming unbearable.
These blues have got me cryin'
I'm so sad that I can't help but cry.
Oh, sweet ma-a-ma, please come home
I'm begging for my loved one to return to me.
The snow falls 'round my window
It's currently snowing outside.
But it can't chill my heart
The snow isn't helping to alleviate my sadness.
God knows it died the day you left
My heart has been broken since the day my loved one left me.
My dream world fell apart
My happy life that I envisioned with my loved one no longer seems possible.
Through tears I watch young lovers
I watch other happy couples pass by, while I'm feeling broken and alone.
As they go strollin' by
These couples are casually walking past me.
Oh, all the things that might have been
I'm reminded of all the happy memories and future plans that I had with my loved one, which will never come true now.
God forgive me if I cry
I'm so sad that I might cry uncontrollably, and I'm praying for forgiveness.
Oh, sweet ma-a-ma, please come home
I'm still pleading for my loved one to come back to me.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L.
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind