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.
When the Saints Go Marchin' in
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, when the saints go marching in
I wanna be right there in that number, number
When the saints go marching in
Well, when the saints go marching in
When the saints go marching in
I wanna be right there in that number, number When the saints go marching in
Yeah, when the sun refuse to shine
When the sun refuse to shine
I wanna be right there in that number, number
When the sun refuse to shine
Go, go, go
Go, go, go
Well, when the saints go marching in
Well, when the saints go marching in
I wanna be right there in that number, number
When the saints go marching in
Look here, when the sun refuse to shine
When the sun refuse to shine
I wanna be, be in that number, number
When the sun refuse to shine
When the saints, the saints go marching in
When the saints go marching in
I wanna be right there in that number, number
When the saints go marching in
The song "When the Saints Go Marchin' In" is a well-known traditional gospel hymn. It has been sung and recorded by various artists for more than a century, and its origins are uncertain. Hank Williams recorded his own version of the song in 1951, which became a hit and remains one of the most popular versions.
The song's lyrics describe a desire to be there when the saints go marching in. In Christian theology, this refers to the belief that when Christ returns to Earth, he will lead a procession of saints into heaven. The singer wants to be part of this procession, to be among those who are saved and rewarded with eternal life. The repetition of the phrase "in that number" emphasizes the desire to be included in this group. The reference to the sun refusing to shine suggests a sense of urgency and the belief that the end of the world may come at any moment.
One interesting interpretation of this song is that it was originally a funeral dirge, expressing both mourning for the dead and hope for their salvation. Over time, it became a joyful gospel hymn, celebrating the idea that even in death, believers can be united with Christ and join the ranks of the saints. Another possible origin story for the song suggests that it was based on a traditional African American spiritual called "When the Saints Are Marching In" and was adapted into a gospel hymn in the early 20th century.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, when the saints go marching in
Expressing excitement and anticipation of the time when the righteous believers enter the kingdom of God
Well, when the saints go marching in
Reiterating the desire to be among the faithful who enter heaven
I wanna be right there in that number, number
Expressing the singer's fervent wish to be part of the group of believers who enter the pearly gates
When the saints go marching in
Referring to the biblical account of the righteous people entering the kingdom of God
Yeah, when the sun refuse to shine
Acknowledging the end of the world and the judgment day
Go, go, go
Encouraging the righteous believers to continue their walk of faith until the end
Look here, when the sun refuse to shine
Reiterating the end of the world and the judgment day
I wanna be, be in that number, number
Affirming the singer's strong desire to be among the righteous who enter heaven
When the saints, the saints go marching in
Referring again to the biblical account of the righteous people entering the kingdom of God
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lisaparsons4124
Hank Williams Sr a awesome singer and song writer my Dad John Parsons liked he passed away May 19 2002,was66💐 May Hank Williams Sr RIP 💐
@victorwieler4735
Never forget that day the world stood still.
@michaelcraig9449
This is great!
@mechaniccccc
So there's this guy, let's call him Hank Williams
@lanitarenee4668
I hope to see you one day, and remember save your first dance for me!! I must fly now!! 💋💋💋💋💋💋💋🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇
@jimmyrbyamirb7IDF
My Grandmother sang this song to me when I was 7 years old. Then we road around in the flat bed of my Grandpa truck, 1954 Ford , with my sisters, listening to the radio.
@lmj895
My Mom sang that song to us. What beautiful memories. Thank you for sharing.
@nannyi6166
Fabulous
@LOVEJITV
1:52 when the new world is revealed.....what a mighty fine day that'll be-i look hopefully forward to this every day<3
@ReggWilliams
🕵🤔🙌🙏