- published: 16 Nov 2012
- views: 266537
Hiram King "Hank" Williams, (/hæŋk wɪljəmz /; September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that would place in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one.
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 or money. Payne had a major influence on Williams' later musical style, along with Roy Acuff and Ernest Tubb. During this time, Williams informally changed his name to Hank, believing it to be a better name for country music. He moved to Montgomery and his music career began there 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 his time to his career.
All day I face a barren waste
Without the taste of water
Cool water
Oh Lad and I with throats burned dry
And souls that cry for water
Cool, clear water
A-keep a-movin' Dan
Don't you listen to him Dan
He's a devil, not a man
And he spreads the burning sand with water
Dan can you see that big green tree
Where the water's running free
And it's waiting there for me and you
Cool, clear water
Shadows swing and seem to say
Tonight we pray for water
Cool water
And when you hear our prayer
And show us where there's water
Cool, clear water
A-keep a-movin' Dan
Don't you listen to him Dan
He's a devil, not a man
And he spreads the burning sand with water
Dan can you see that big green tree
Where the water's running free
And it's waiting there for me and you
Cool, clear water
Cool, clear water