Hank Williams - I Saw The Light
Video from The Kate Smith Evening Hour, March 26, 1952.
Hank Williams wrote and recorded "I Saw The Light", released in 1948. The song reflects a duality in Williams life that is common in rural America, the rowdy, hard drinking, working man partying on Saturday night and singing in church on Sunday morning. Perhaps because of it's short verses and repetitive chorus it has become a very popular Gospel singalong.
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Here's another country music legend, Johnny Cash, singing Hank's song.
Johnny Cash - I Saw The Light
Hank Williams time as a country music star spanned only six years due to his untimely death at 29. He is most noted for love songs like "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and slice of life stories like "Jumbalaya" and "Hey Good Lookin'".
"Mind Your Own Business" is a kind of protest song about gossips and busybodies and is a statement about personal freedom. Here's his son, Hank Williams Jr, with his all star cast version.
Hank Williams Jr. - Mind Your Own Business
Williams also sang a Country/Gospel song with pointed lyrics, "Lost Highway", written by Leon Payne, another Opry performer.
Hank Williams - Lost Highway
William's "Kaw-Liga" is a humorous song about a cigar store Indian with a subtext about the plight of Native Americans.
Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Jr - Kaw-Liga
Starting in 1950 Hank Williams recorded his religous music using the stage name Luke The Drifter. This one is a retelling of The Good Samaritan parable with a chorus from the scripture, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." It seems that even retold words of Jesus can't help but be topical.
Hank Williams - Be Careful Of Stones That You Throw
Please post in the comments any other Hank Williams songs that have a gospel, topical, protest, or political meaning.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry