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.
With Tears In My Eyes
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You couldn't forgive me, so you went away
I made a mistake, dear, by tellin' you lies
Now I lay awake, dear, with tears in my eyes
No more to be sweetheart, no more to be friend
Please give me a chance, dear, and I'll make amends
My yesterdays haunt me, my weary heart criesI just can't go on, dear, with tears in my eyes
If you ever need me, oh please let me know
Wherever you lead me, I'm willin' to go
The past is a flower, that withers and dies
I'll wake up tomorrow, with tears in my eyes
With tears in my eyes, dear, I begged you to stay
You couldn't forgive me, so you went away
I made a mistake, dear, by tellin' you lies
Now I lay awake, dear, with tears in my eyes
The song "With Tears In My Eyes" by Hank Williams is a classic country ballad about heartbreak and regret. The song's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the lyrics: "With tears in my eyes, dear, I begged you to stay. You couldn't forgive me, so you went away." The singer is filled with remorse for some mistake he made that caused his partner to leave, and he is now left alone with his tears.
The second verse suggests that the singer was not entirely truthful with his partner, telling "tellin' you lies." This admission shows that he understands the cause of his loneliness and feels guilty for his actions. He wants to make amends and be given another chance, but he knows that his partner may not forgive him. The third verse shows his willingness to follow her anywhere if she'll take him back, even if it means leaving behind his past mistakes. But he also knows that it may be too late and that he will wake up the next day with tears in his eyes.
Overall, "With Tears In My Eyes" is a melancholy and emotional song that speaks to the pain of lost love and the regret that follows. It shows that even the strongest of men can be reduced to tears when they lose someone they love. The song is a beautiful expression of heartache and sorrow that has resonated with audiences for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
With tears in my eyes, dear, I begged you to stay
I emotionally pleaded with you to remain, crying with sorrow.
You couldn't forgive me, so you went away
You were unable to forgive me, which caused you to leave.
I made a mistake, dear, by tellin' you lies
My wrongdoing, my deceitful words, caused pain in our relationship.
Now I lay awake, dear, with tears in my eyes
I can't sleep because I am deeply upset about what happened.
No more to be sweetheart, no more to be friend
Our relationship has ended, and there's no future for us as companions.
Please give me a chance, dear, and I'll make amends
I ask you to give me an opportunity to make things right.
My yesterdays haunt me, my weary heart cries
The memories of my past actions torment me. I am emotionally exhausted!
I just can't go on, dear, with tears in my eyes
I don't see how I can carry on living with so much pain.
If you ever need me, oh please let me know
If you ever want me, please reach out to me.
Wherever you lead me, I'm willin' to go
I am willing to do anything to be with you once again.
The past is a flower, that withers and dies
Memories can eventually fade and perish with time, just like flowers do.
I'll wake up tomorrow, with tears in my eyes
I will continue to cry and feel sorrow, even when the coming dawn arrives.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hectorasham8278
This man will never be replaced.such a great voice pure country.miss him.
@glennjohnson8170
Glenn Johnson First heard this on a 45 rpm single in 1958 and love the song.Classic.Sing this myself.Thanks
@jaapbakker1892
One of the most underrated songs in old country. The best version I know of was sung by Texas Ruby, accompanied by her husband and killer...
@jet63919
top of the tops as usual...RIP Hank...
@samgaudet7388
THE MAN