Today’s post was written by Paul.
September 17, was Hank Williams, Sr.’s birthday, so I thought I would try to do one of his songs to mark the occasion.
“A Picture from Life’s Other Side” is not a song I ever sang before, and not my favorite Hank song, but it crossed my mind the other day. After a verse and chorus, I realized that G was too low for me and moved up to A.
Hank did the song as a recitation under the pseudonym “Luke the Drifter.” He only sang the chorus. He spoke the rest of the words.
When I was a teenager, I heard Mark Wheeler of the Marksmen sing all the lyrics, with no talking. So I knew it was doable with a little massaging or tweaking of the syllables and words. I failed to do this correctly on the verse about the brothers and had to stretch the word “lives” over too many beats.
Hank is one of my musical heroes. This song and many like it show how in touch he was with the darker, sadder side of life, even though he was only in his 20’s when he made his music. I might make uploading a Hank song an annual tradition on his birthday. There’s certainly a vast goldmine of masterfully written songs to choose from!
Right now on PBS, there’s a Ken Burns documentary running called “Country Music.” If you like this kind of music, you might find it interesting.
I hope you enjoyed the song from Paul. It’s an amazing song even thought it’s a tear-jerker. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Hank Williams’ version, but I about wore out the tape IÂ had of Mark Wheeler and the Marksmen doing the song.
Tipper
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To say, thanks to Paul for this top rendition and tribute to Hank, Amazing to think 17 Sep 2023, it will 100 years since Hank’s birth. What a legacy in meaningful song he left us.
Surre portrays life’ s othet side. Thanks to Paul.
Great job on that ‘Life’s Other Side’, Paul!
My late husband loved Hanks sad music – especially his story songs. Wish he’d lived to watch Ken Burns specials w/me!
I don’t think I’ve ever heard this Hank Williams song–which is saying something given the family in which I grew up. My Uncle Larry would take me with him up Highway 83 from Texas to South Dakota and sing or play Hank songs all 640 miles. We sang “I Saw The Light” at his funeral. No one wrote songs “in touch . . .with the darker, sadder side of life” better than Hank–as you say, and despite his youth. Thank you for sharing–I loved the Country Music documentary–the soundtrack to my childhood.
Wow, did he nail that song. This song and Thy Burdens are Greater That Mine are my two favorite ‘Luke the Drifter’ songs.
Tipper I enjoyed hearing as a small girl Carl Story and I believe his band was called the Rambling Mountaineers He could really sing the song A picture from Life Other Side
I liked this so much & do remember hearing Hank Williams doing it. I had a set of albums with the majority of his music on them.
I enjoyed the song, Paul. Can’t remember ever hearing it.
Tipper,
I can hear Pap’s voice thru Paul as he was singing “A Picture From Life’s Other Side.” It’s sad, but aren’t most country songs? Paul did a great job on this song, and he writes about the same as you. You are the Best at saying things ” down to earth things” that ever I can understand.
The other day Sargent Williams and his boy, Justin met me at Wal-Marts to pick out me a TV. They helped me set it up and before long, I had a beautiful picture on the Aziva 43″ I had chosen. While we were waiting on all the channels to be put in, Sargent Williams asked me to show his boy the rest of the shop. I said “that wouldn’t take long, besides the other day, I had Diarrhea and
I learned Big Words cause I graduated from Andrews.” This broke the Ice with Justin and he was amazed at the things in my shop. …Ken
Absolutely wonderful job. More Paul, please.
Well done Paul. I’ve never heard that song but I sure remember “Hey, Good Looking” and some others that Hank Williams wrote and sang. My husband has been in and out of the hospital this summer, but he had set the t.v., to record the Ken Burns Country Music documentary and we have been watching it for the last couple evenings. Very much enjoying it!!
Mom and Dad were first folks I knew to get one of those large floor model radios with record player. We children were allowed to put records on and listen to that old radio unless Dad was home from work 🙂 I remember that song so well, and often heard Hank Williams songs. I well remember when he died, and it was treated as a great tragedy by the folks around us. Later when we moved it was close to the route 19 where he supposedly died. Later named The Hank Williams Memorial Highway near Oak Hill WV. Listening to the old music may be why I was never able to accept and like the modern country. I am certain Hank would be proud of Paul’s version, as he does a wonderful job on this old song. I bet he could really do well on my favorite at the time, Hank Thompson and Detour. Dad took in a young man who had family problems (could not do that nowadays), and he earned money and bought Frankie Laine and Johnny Ray records, and I love that sound even today. I collected all Frankie Laine’s albums at one time.
If interested this is a drive down the old remote highway where Hank W took his last ride. If not permitted can delete.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSr6rRoWTso
Very good job on the song. We’ve been watching those documentaries also, seen some shots of my Wife’s Uncle in the background playing back up music on some of the episodes back in the day. Just fascinating how a poor boy was able to position himself to play for and with some of the best in the business.
It is so good to hear Paul singing. It would be wonderful to hear his beautiful voice more often. Paul, you are missed! I had forgotten about this insightful song. The “Country Music” documentary is so good, especially the first few episodes.
Great job Paul, this is one of my favorite tear jerkers.
Paul’s rendition of this Hank Williams classic is as beautiful as the song. Thank you so much for sharing it with us! I am a WV girl (now living in the northeast) who is currently loving the Ken Burns Country Music documentary. It is truly fascinating.
Best to you and the family, Tipper. Thanks again for this lovely post. It really made my morning.