Today’s post was written by Paul.
For Hank Williams birthday tributes, I generally alternate between dark songs and light songs. Hank wrote plenty of both, the song I’m sharing today is one of the lighter ones. If you missed the other Hank tribute videos, you can see them here.
English teachers might refer to this as the gerund song! They include: longing, thinking, dreaming, yearning, pinning, and falling. In fact, I think I may have left some out, like “wanting.”
If you noticed my eyes dropping below the line of the camera, it was me reading my notes to make sure I knew which gerund was coming next! 🙂
All of this song is well-written, but to me, the best line comes close to the end of the song: “It looks like I’ve been cheated out of my rib.” In Hank’s day, the majority of Americans attended church, read the Bible, or at least had been taught the key parts of the Bible. They would have readily understood this Biblical allusion to man’s “helpmate.” Unfortunately, the meaning of that line might be lost on most Americans today.
I mentioned that I chose this song because it’s lighthearted. Specifically, I chose it because it’s self-deprecating, meaning that the speaker is making fun of himself. Although he was one of the top stars of country music, Hank often made fun of himself in his songs. Other examples are “Move It on Over” and “I’ve Been Down that Road Before.” It seems like this type of humility died along with other great aspects of country music. For the most part, top stars haven’t poked fun at themselves in decades. While some might portray themselves as somehow marginalized (perhaps because of a rough background they endured), they don’t show vulnerability in this particular way, and they seem to take themselves very seriously, even though many of them posses little musical talent or ability.
A couple of years ago, or thereabouts, Beyonce released a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” Beyonce seems like a nice person, so what I’m about to share is not a critique of her personally. I’m just trying to illustrate the point above.
In “Jolene,” Dolly wrote with great humility, saying things like, “I cannot compete with you, Jolene.” I’ve never listened to Beyonce’s cover of the song, but I’m told that she “flipped the script;” instead of pleading with Jolene and acknowledging her vulnerability, she instead boasted about herself, touted the amazing relationship that she has with her man, and warned that Jolene cannot compete with/handle her.
Because it is a cover song, I suppose that in some sense, this update/reversal shows creativity, but my point is that it strips away the vulnerability, the part that makes the singer seem human, like the rest of us, capable of not measuring up at times. In “Nobody’s Lonesome for Me,” Hank doesn’t say that he’s an amazing catch. He just says he has a big heart.
Most people have probably felt like Hank in “Nobody’s Lonesome for Me.” At times, when we’re not paired up with a significant other, it can seem like everyone else is. It’s a fun song, and I liked it the very first time I heard it. Because Hank died so young (29), quite a few songs/recordings were released posthumously. I’m pretty sure that’s the case with this song. Hank died in 1953, and according to Google, this song was released in 1955.
Hank had a practice of going into the recording studio alone and laying down a track of himself singing songs, with only his own guitar as accompaniment. Copies of those recordings were distributed to his band members (like the amazing steel player, Don Helms), and they learned the songs from what Hank recorded. In 1985, those recordings were released in their raw form on an album called, “Just Me and My Guitar.” I remember that my Uncle Junior (Granny’s oldest brother) owned and treasured a copy of that record.
Though they were eventually released in their raw form, many of those recordings were earlier used to publish “new,” full-band singles after Hank’s death. His band went into the studio and dubbed their parts around Hank’s voice and guitar. When Hank made those demo recordings, audio quality wasn’t the goal. The recordings were merely for reference, to help the band members learn the songs. Because of that, they may have used one mic to capture both his voice and guitar, rather than two for a more isolated, controllable sound. Because of this, some of the posthumous releases have a certain sound that I can usually recognize. “Everybody’s Lonesome for Me” has that sound: lower audio quality and perhaps a little less perfection in Hank’s vocal, but still very good, nonetheless. Lord willing, I’ll upload another Hank tribute in September 2027.
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016).
The Wilson Brothers Words of Life Album released in the 70s.
You did a great job on that. I love Hank Williams and his wide variety of songs, funny, sad and downright lonesome. Thanks for remembering his birthday.
it’s a fun but kinda sad song too!
Paul, I always enjoy your music. Hank Williams’ sound and some of his lyrics could definitely evoke despair and pain like few others. I understand he lived with physical pain in his life, and had abuse problems with pain medications and alcohol. His music lives on. Bless all the Acorns who are struggling on this day. Know, the Truth in your life, even when you feel broken and unlovable, GOD love YOU! Yes, YOU! Peace be with you.
Just wonderful, Paul! Such a tragedy that Hank Sr passed so young. Thanks for the time you take in writing such interesting and extensive backgrounds on the songs you share. You are a very gifted musician with a brilliant mind and it shines through in your writings.
I love Hank Sr. My Daddy listened to him and it was passed to me. I don’t know one I don’t like yet. I’ve been sick or something wrong for 3 years. I just lost my Daddy July 31 and Hanks music makes me feel better sometimes. Now when anyone asks me how I am, I answer with his song title, “I’m still living so everythings ok”
Paul this was perfect. I grew up listening to Hank. He and Patsy Cline are two of my favorite musicians.
Paul, that was just WONDERFUL singing and playing and I enjoyed it very much! It’s a toe tapper and I think a bit funny too. I liked where he claims he ain’t had a kiss since he fell out of his crib… feeling sorry for himself much? lol Hank would be proud. Then there’s Jim Casada just pouring out a good poem like water-very good too! This joint is plumb loaded with talent! God bless yall and save some gas now ya hear?
Aw, cuute! My dad was a musician, so I grew up listening to a lot of country music and Hank Williams’ sad songs. I know “Nobody is Lonesome for Me” is supposed to be a sad song, but I couldn’t help but smile all the way through. I’m sure at some time in our lives all of us have experienced those feelings, especially in our younger years, myself included, but time and experience give us a better perspective to where we can look back on some of those times and laugh. Thank you, Paul, for your cute rendition of Hank’s song, and also a shout out to Don Casada for that cute poem he wrote that made me laugh. You guys are the best!!!
Enjoyed that very much! Thanks Paul!
I really enjoyed that song and the writings of Paul about the song and Hank’s music.
Randy,
I’m going to be 84 in 2 months., have major heart and lung issues that’s going to be the death of me. I’m still here though because our God still has a purpose for me. He has a purpose for you too. Do you know how much we’d miss your comments every day? Do you know how many of us who care about you and pray for you? You are a precious child of God our Father. You are blessed and a blessing. We get low and feel unwanted and unnecessary but we have to remember we have our own special place in this world and no one else can fill it. God bless you Randy and thanks be to our God for you and for Tipper for this place where we all got to know you. Love and prayers. Gail
Gail, I appreciate your words, after being a do it yourselfer all of my life, I now feel like I am a burden to my son, and grandsons because of having to ask them to help or do some of the most simple things for me.
Sunday Blessings to you all in Wilson Holler & all Acorns – I enjoyed the write up from Paul just as much as I enjoyed the Song – Hank was one I grew up listening to. We are under a smoke-haze red sunrise this morning, with a low layer of fog – and the heat is on its way for the day.
You are the music man Paul! Never seen anyone pick up on the smallest things in a song like you do. Blessings
Ah, humility, probably the least esteemed of all human characteristics. It challenges us just to hear the word. Many years ago I read Hannah Whitehall Smith’s “Water Song”. The water was rushing down and singing, ” This the only law we know. It is better to go low.” But ‘something’ in fallen human nature just recoils from that and wants instead to go high, to be better but especially “best”. People think humility is weak but in fact it is a great strength because it clears the way to not “major in the minors” as the saying is, so we can get ourselves out of our own way. I notice that the music is rather upbeat though the words are not. I think those two opposites were probably chosen by Hank to show the song is a sorta joke on oneself. We’ve all had a few of those experiences and laughing a oneself is a valuable trait to have sometimes.
That was great, Paul. I was born on the same day of the year as Hank, but he took all the brains and talent and left a plumb empty jar for me
Paul’s been a-yodeling a tribute to Hank;
Wish I could yodel-low, too.
Hits ever’ note and ever’ single lick,
But humming is all I can do.
Now if I had rhythm
And if had rhyme,
A little bit of sense,
And a whole lot of time,
I could pick and strum
On my old guitar
And make myself into
A you-tube star.
But I ain’t got neither,
So all I can do
Is go Yo-de-lady,
Yo-de-lady ooh.
But an empty jar has something that a full jar lacks – potential!
Happy Sunday morning!
I watched your video last night on YouTube. I enjoyed the song and your singing. I remember afterwards how much my dad enjoyed Hank Williams and Hank Jr. I remember him playing Hank Senior the most then later his son’s Hank Jr , but between the two I remember my dad playing Hank Senior the most. I don’t recall ever hearing this song but I’m sure if my dad was still alive, he would’ve known the song.
Great information you have shared with us Paul. Thank you.
I can not say it enough but I love your description of the song. You break it down so that we can better understand the song and the singer. I’ve mentioned it before but when my father brought home our first stereo record played ( it was very small and cheap but it played) he bc also brought home several LPs: The Golden Hits of Hank Williams, The Golden Hits of the Platters, A recording of the 1813 Overture with Bellero on the flip side and later on Van Ciburn ( I’m sure it’s spelt wrong) Piano Concerto #1 ( he had won the piano contest in Russia with that concerto). As time passed Patti Page and Mitch Miller filled our house with music. But I loved playing the Hank Williams LP, he put so much feeling into his music. Have a blessed day Paul. Will be at Shady Grove to see you and Hickory Stand play.
Ron, I love the music of the Platters and so many others from that time. I wore out an 8 track tape of the Drifters playing it in my under the dash mounted 8 track tape player. I still have the tape player, speakers and 8 track tapes but not the car. It has been a long time but I have hooked up the speakers to the tape player and then a 12 volt car battery and played some of the tapes just for old times sake. One of my favorite songs from that time is “l’m leaving it up to you” by Dale and Grace. I don’t think you can find better harmony anywhere than those two.
I enjoyed the song Paul, Live to never die, God bless you brother, God bless anybody that’s sick ,lost suffering and struggling , I pray in Jesus name amen
Paul, I am a big Hank Williams fan but don’t think I have heard this song. I was born in 1954 and especially like the paragraph about being cheated out of his rib, going to church, knowing and being taught key parts of the Bible. All of the regular members know about my wife, I often think about God creating Eve and saying words similar to this – man needed a “helpmate, companion.” I know that is so true for me. How do you carry on with your life after you loose your companion/helpmate? I don’t want to die, but without her and now having to ask for so much help to do so many things I could once do for myself, I often think I am no longer good to myself or anyone else, it would be better for me to die and just get out of everyone’s way.
Randy God has a mighty purpose for you and will sustain you. Isaiah 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
Randy, I read your reply to Paul and I wish I could make things better for you. I am not old enough to have any wisdom or words to help, but I know Paul is right. God has a purpose for you being where you are. I can’t imagine the pain of being without my husband, but it must be so awful to be without the one you love. Again, I wish I could help, and I will keep praying for you. From what you write, I think you are a very good person and I enjoy reading your memories you share. I am sorry that the remembering often brings pain with it. Anyway, all this rambling to say that some stranger in Kansas thinks you’re pretty great and will be praying for you. ❤️ Meg
Meg and others, I miss my wife’s companionship, but the reality is also I miss her being here and both of us doing things together and being able to help out one another. I need to go to the doctor and really see for sure what is going on with my ankle, but I have been unable to walk and get to his office without help. I think as we get older and begin to “break down” couples begin to depend on each other more and more. “Helpmate.” My son is a tremendous help to me, I don’t know what I would do without his help, but he recently started a new job and does not have any vacation time built up and can’t take off at the drop of a hat. I live in a very rural area and except for Dollar General, the nearest grocery store, town or about anything else is 15 miles away. If I ask my friends for help me, I feel like I am bothering them, I know they have their own busy lives to live. I am afraid writing this might give the wrong impression, my wife was the love of my life, she was much more than someone I just depended on for help. My mind will never let there be anyone else, I never cheated on her in nearly 50 years of marriage and would feel liked I was cheating on her now if there was another lady companion in my life.
I have listened to Paul singing Hank’s song. Like Hank, I often told my wife she would have to pay someone to come to my funeral and act sad.