- published: 12 Oct 2012
- views: 35826
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.
I have heard your stories about your fast trains
But now I’ll tell you about one all the southern folks have seen¦g
She’s the beauty of the southlands listen to that whistle scream
It’s that pan american on her way to new or-leans.
She leaves cincinnati headin’ down that dixie line
When she passes that nashville tower you can hear that
Whistle whine
Stick your head right out the window and feel that southern breeze
Your on that pan american on her way to new or-leans.
If your ever in the south lands and want to see the scenes
Just get your self a ticket on that pan american queen
There’s louivill nashville montgomery the cap’tal of ala-bam
You pass right through then all when your new orleans bound.
She leaves cincinnati headin’ down that dixie line
When she passes that nashville tower you can hear that
Whistle whine
Stick your head right out the window and feel that southern breeze
Your on that pan american on her way to new or-leans.