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.
Where the Soul Never Dies
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the soul of man never dies
Where the soul, never dies
My darkest night will turn to day
(Where the soul of man never dies)
Where the soul, never dies
[Chorus]Dear friend there'll be no sad farewells
(No sad farewells)
There'll be no tear-dimmed eyes
(No tear-dimmed eyes)
Where all is joy, peace and love
{Where all is joy)
And the soul of man never dies
(And the soul never dies)
A garden's blooming there for me
Where the soul of man never dies
(Where the soul never dies)
And I shall spend eternity
Where the soul of man never dies
(Where the soul never dies)
[Chorus]
A love-light beams across the foam
Where the soul of man never dies
(Where the soul never dies)
It shines to light the fires of home
Where the soul of man never dies
(Where the soul never dies)
My life will end in deathless sleepWhere the soul of man never dies
(Where the soul never dies)
And everlasting joys I'll reap
Where the soul of man never dies
{Where the soul never dies)
I'm on my way to that fair land
Where the soul of man never dies
(Where the soul never dies)
Where there will be no parting hand
Where the soul of man never dies
(Where the soul never dies)
In Hank Williams's song "Where The Soul Of Man Never Dies," the singer reflects on their journey to a place called Canaan's land, where the soul of man lives forever. The repetitious opening line of the song emphasizes the idea of the journey and the importance of the destination. The second line, "Where the soul of man never dies," can be interpreted as a metaphor for a place of eternal life, without pain and suffering. The singer emphasizes that in this place, there will be no "dark night" or sadness. They will be surrounded by "joy, peace and love" instead.
In the chorus, the singer addresses a "dear friend" and reassures them that there will be "no sad farewells" or "tear-dimmed eyes." They are confident that this place is full of radiance, a "garden... blooming" just for them. The light of love will guide them to it, and their life will end in "deathless sleep." The idea of immortality and everlasting joy is the key to this song.
Overall, the song is a hopeful and comforting representation of the afterlife. The imagery is simple yet resolute, emphasizing the importance of a place beyond the mundane life. The song's message is directed towards anyone who is going through a tough time or grieving, highlighting the hope that awaits them on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
To Canaan's land I'm on my way
I am traveling on the path towards the Promised Land.
Where the soul of man never dies
I am going to a place where the soul of man lives eternally.
Where the soul, never dies
I am headed to a place where the soul of man will never perish.
My darkest night will turn to day
I will not suffer from sadness or despair because I am headed towards eternal joy.
(Where the soul of man never dies)
I will reach a place where there is no end to life.
[Chorus]
The following lines are the chorus of the song.
Dear friend there'll be no sad farewells
I will not have to say goodbye to anyone because there is no death in this everlasting place.
(No sad farewells)
I will not have to mourn those who have left.
There'll be no tear-dimmed eyes
I won't cry because there is no cause for sorrow in this place.
(No tear-dimmed eyes)
I will never shed a tear in this everlasting land.
Where all is joy, peace and love
The place I am going is full of joy, peace and love.
{Where all is joy)
This place only has the best emotions.
And the soul of man never dies
I am going to a place where the soul of man has infinity.
(And the soul never dies)
The soul lives eternally without perishing.
A garden's blooming there for me
There is a garden full of life waiting for me there.
(Where the soul never dies)
The garden is a place where the soul of man goes on forever.
And I shall spend eternity
Because the place I'm headed has no end, I will spend the rest of my existence there.
A love-light beams across the foam
Light shines across the dark sea.
(Where the soul never dies)
The light symbolizes the everlasting soul of man.
It shines to light the fires of home
The light guides people home.
Where the soul of man never dies
The eternal soul of man is leading me to the place I am traveling to.
(Where the soul never dies)
The place has an everlasting soul of man.
My life will end in deathless sleep
I will fall asleep and won't die because in this place, there is no death.
(Where the soul never dies)
The everlasting soul of man is present here.
And everlasting joys I'll reap
In this everlasting place, I will enjoy eternal happiness.
{Where the soul never dies)
The place where the soul of man never dies.
I'm on my way to that fair land
I'm headed to a fair land of everlasting life.
(Where the soul never dies)
The place I am going to never has an end to the soul of man.
Where there will be no parting hand
There is no end to human life, so people won't have to say goodbye to each other.
Where the soul of man never dies
This place is eternal and the soul of man will never perish.
(Where the soul never dies)
The place I am going has the everlasting soul of man.
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wayne Raney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ReadingInRedding
[B:] To Canaan's land I'm on my way
[H:] Where the soul never dies
[B:] My darkest night will turn to day
[H:] Where the soul never dies
[H:] Dear friend there'll be no sad farewells
[A:] No sad..........farewells
[H:] There'll be no tear-dimmed eyes
[A:] No tear-........... dimmed eyes
[H:] Where all is joy, peace and love
[A:] Where all..........is joy
[[A:] And the soul.........never dies
[B:] A garden's blooming there for me
[H:] Where the soul never dies
[B:] And I shall spend eternity
[H:] Where the soul never dies
[Additional verses:]
A love-light beams across the foam
Where the soul of man never dies
Where the soul........never dies
It shines to light the fires of home
Where the soul of man never dies
Where the soul........never dies
My life will end in deathless sleep
Where the soul of man never dies
Where the soul........never dies
And everlasting joys I'll reap
Where the soul of man never dies
Where the soul........never dies
I'm on my way to that fair land
Where the soul of man never dies
Where the soul........never dies
Where there will be no parting hand
Where the soul of man never dies
Where the soul........never dies
@kjohns2001
Hank's gospel music does not get the notice it should. He makes the sound of heaven's angels available to us here on earth.
@mikeaubuchon8573
There's Hank and then there's everybody else .
Gone almost 68 years ago and Hank's still the brightest star country music has ever had .
@joshbates5710
Who's here during the Coronavirus Pandemic? Just know Jesus will protect us. If we ever do get it just know God's in control and you're going to the place where The soul never dies !
@hastyhillfarmand4x480
I don't have to worry about man made lies like COVID 19... I trust the lord
@bobbrooks8705
@@hastyhillfarmand4x480: As of today, 8-23-2022, 1 million 65 thousand Americans have perished from covid, including tens of thousands of churchgoers that were told by their pastor that covid will not hurt them. It is Satanists like you that will be held responsible for all eternity.
@lisaparsons4124
Yes I agree still wearing a mask
@countrygal4205
Hank was homesick for Heaven.
@lisaparsons4124
Yes and a awesome singer and song writer
@pmullins1495
Another of Hank Sr's songs I'd never heard !! Amazing. 😏
@fooshie8937
It actually it is a cover of Rev Thrasher and His Gospel Singer’s, very early recorded gospel music. Take a listen if you get a chance. Hank Sr. wins as always. His gospel work and covers never get as much credit and recognition as they should! ✌🏼