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Rating: The first time I wrote on DeBaser, I reviewed Mink DeVille, prompting some criticism. I think it's because I didn't explain his origins and musical background, limiting myself to the essentials. Now I'll provide some information about Hank Williams because I wish to give space to artists who aren't reviewed on DeBaser but whom I consider great.
Who is Hank Williams? Bohh... some younger readers might think, and there's no shame in it because this great artist, born in Alabama in '23, was already active pre-war when, at just 16, he left his family. Accompanied by the Drifting Cowboys, he began spreading his music, initially playing at a local radio station and then in the Honky Tonk bars of the southwest. In '46, he moved to Nashville, and after securing a contract, he recorded his first single "Move it on over" in '47. Since then, this little man with the appearance of a frail and delicate Cowboy made his mark on the Country scene, making it into the Country Western Top Ten about forty times (an unprecedented feat considering he wrote less than 70 songs).
His career was brief, as it was marred by drug use, but mostly by alcohol abuse. He died at 29 in '53 from an overdose. With Jimmie Rodgers, he played a crucial role in transforming Hillbilly into modern Country, influencing almost all musicians who shared his roots, such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Gram Parsons, John Fogerty. Even rock artists played his compositions like George Thorogood, Loggin and Messina, the Crooner Tony Bennett, and many, many others. Songs like "You Win Again" "Jambalaya" "Lovesick Blues" "Your Cheatin Heart" "Hey Good Lookin" "Cold Cold Heart" are milestones in music history, not surprisingly, he was among the first to enter the Country Music Hall of Fame.
If I have managed to pique your interest, for those who can afford it, I recommend "Complete Hank Williams (1998) - Hank Williams Senior," 10 CDs with his entire discography. The downside is that it costs quite a bit, so if you don't want to spend too much, "40 Greatest Hits" is the right choice for you, two CDs with the best of his work. You can take it home for about 17 euros... among other things, it also includes my favorite song "I'm so lonesome I could cry", a poignant piece that moves me every time I listen to it.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Move It on Over (02:44)
Came in last night about a half past ten
That woman of mine she wouldn't let me in
Move it on over (move it on over)
Move it on over (move it on over)
Move over little dog cause a big dog's movin in
She changed the lock on my front door
now my key, it don't fit no more
So get it on over (move it on over)
Scoot it on over (move it on over)
Move over skinny dog cause a fat dog's moving in
This dog house here is mighty small
But it's sure better than no house at all
So ease it on over (move it on over)
Drag it on over (move it on over)
Move over old dog cause a new dog's moving in
She told me not to play around
But I done let the deal go down
So pack it on over (move it on over)
Tote it on over (move it on over)
Move over nice dog cause a bad dog's moving in
She warned me once, she warned me twice
But I don't take no one's advice
So scratch it on over (move it on over)
Shake it on over (move it on over)
Move over short dog cause a tall dog's moving in
I'll crawl back to her on my knees
pretty soon i'll be scratching fleas
So slide it on over (move it on over)
Sneak it on over (move it on over)
Move over good dog cause a bad dog's moving in
Remember pup, before you start to whine
That side's yours and this side's mine
So shove it on over (move it on over)
Sweep it on over (move it on over)
Move over cold dog cause a hot dog's moving in
02 A Mansion on the Hill (02:35)
Tonight down here in the valley
I'm lonesome and O how I feel
As I sit here alone in my cabin
I can see your mansion on the hill
Do you recall when we parted
The story to me you revealed
You said you could live without loving
In your loveless mansion on the hill
I've waited all through the years love
To give you a heart true and real
Cause I know you're living in sorrow
In your loveless mansion on the hill
The light shine bright from yer window
The trees stand so silent and still
I know you're alone with your pride dear
In your loveless mansion on the hill
05 Mind Your Own Business (02:55)
Words and music by Hank Williams, Sr.
If the [D] wife and I are fussin', brother that's our right
'Cause me and that sweet woman's got a license to fight [D7]
Why don't you [G7] mind your own business
(Mind [D] your own business)
'Cause if you mind [A7] your business, then you won't be mindin' [D] mine.
Oh, the woman on our party line's the nosiest thing
She picks up her receiver when she knows it's my ring
Why don't you mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
Well, if you mind your business, then you won't be mindin' mine.
I got a little gal that wears her hair up high,
the boys all whistle when she walks by.
why don't you mind your own buisness
(Mind your own business)
Well, if you mind your own business, you sure won't be minding mine.
If I want to honky tonk around 'til two or three
Now, brother that's my headache, don't you worry 'bout me.
Just mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
If you mind your business, then you won't be mindin' mine.
Mindin' other people's business seems to be high-toned
I got all that I can do just to mind my own
Why don't you mind your own business
(Mind your own business)
If you mind your own business, you'll stay busy all the time.
06 You're Gonna Change (or I'm Gonna Leave) (02:58)
Words and music by Hank Williams, Sr.
[G] You wore out a brand new trunk
Packin' and un-[D7] packin' your [G] junk
Your daddy's mad; He's done got pee-eeved
You're Gonna Change [D7] or I'm a-gonna [G] leave.
CHORUS
You're gonna [C7] change your way of livin'
Change the things you do
Stop [G] doin' all the things that you oughten too
Your daddy's mad; He's done got pee-eeved
You're Gonna Change [D7] or I'm a-gonna [G] leave.
This ain't right and that is wrong
You just keep naggin', all the day long
Its gotta stop, I don't mean plea-ease
Now, You're Gonna Change or I'm a-gonna leave.
The way to keep a woman happy
And make her do what's right
Is love her ev'ry mornin', bawl her out at night
Your daddy's mad; He's done got pee-eeved
Now, You're Gonna Change or I'm a-gonna leave.
Ev'ry time you get mad
You pack your rags and go back to dad
You tell him lies he don't belie-ieve
Now, You're Gonna Change or I'm a-gonna leave.
CHORUS
08 My Bucket's Got a Hole in It (02:34)
Recorded by Hank Williams, Sr.
Words and music by Clarence Williams
CAPO: 2nd FRET/KEY: E/PLAY: D
FIRST CHORUS
INTRO: [D] ...[A7] ...[D] ... [D7]
Yea! My Bucket's Got A [G] Hole In It
Yea! My Bucket's Got A [D] Hole In It
Yea! My Bucket's Got A [A7] Hole In It
I can't buy no [D] beer.
Well I'm standin' on a [G] corner - With a bucket in my [D] hand
I'm waitin' for a [A7] woman - That ain't got no [D] man.
2ND CHORUS
'Cause My Bucket's Got A [G] Hole In It
Yea! My Bucket's Got A [D] Hole In It
Yea! My Bucket's Got A [A7] Hole In It
I can't buy no [D] beer.
Well, I went upon the [G] mountain - I looked down in the [D] sea
I seen the crabs and the [A7] fishes - Doin' the be-bop-[D] bee.
2ND CHORUS
Well, there ain't no [G] use - of me workin' so [D] hard
When I got a [A7] woman - in the boss man's [D] yard.
2ND CHORUS
Extra verse.
Well, me and my baby - we just bought a Ford
And now we sit together - on the running board.
1ST CHORUS
09 I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry (02:49)
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
Words and music by Hank Williams
Hear that lonesome whippoorwill
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I'm so lonesome I could cry
I've never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind a cloud
To hide its face and cry
Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die?
Like me he's lost the will to live
I'm so lonesome I could cry
The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry
19 Dear John (02:35)
Well when I woke up this mornin',
There was a note upon my door,
Said don't make me no coffee Babe,
'cause I won't be back no more,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've sent your saddle home.
Now Jonah got along in the belly of the whale,
Daniel in the lion's den,
But I know a guy that didn't try to get along,
And he won't get a chance again,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've fetched your saddle home.
Well she didn't forward no address,
Nor she didn't say goodbye,
All she said was if you get blue,
Just hang your little head and cry,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've sent your saddle home.
Now my gal's short and stubby,
She's strong as she can be,
But if that little old gal of mine,
Ever get's a-hold of me,
That's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've sent your saddle home.
Now Jonah got along in the belly of the whale,
Daniel in the lion's den,
But I know a man that didn't try to get along,
And he won't get a chance again,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've fetched your saddle home.
Now I went down to the bank this morning,
The cashier said with a grin,
I feel so sorry for you Hank,
But your wife has done been in,
And that's all she wrote, Dear John,
I've sent your saddle home.
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