Hank (Hiram) Williams (1923-1953) was born in Alabama with a lifelong genetic handicap of spina bifida which led to pain management challenges that made him frail and constantly trying to deal with addiction of pain killers. In his early days he met a musical mentor named 'Tee-Tot' Rufus Payne a local bluesman. Hank started out in radio and managing a group called the 'Drifting Cowboys', but all were drafted in WWII, and Hank sank into alcoholism. After he married Audrey Shepard, she helped him restore his career with recordings under MGM records with "Never Again"1946 and "Honky Tonkin" in 1947. In more trouble with alcohol and drugs, a faltering marriage, and touring Williams wrote " I'm So lonesome I Could Cry" in 1949. This song is not only viewed as one of the great C&W songs but is listed as one of the great pop songs of all time. Not only does this evoke the country sound and theme, but also Mississippi Delta Blues. Many have covered this song including Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

Some Hank Williams songs are pure country, but others are transitional to 'Rockabilly'. On New Year's Day (Jan 1, 1953) hank and his driver were trying to get to a concert in Canton, Ohio. Williams had injected B-12 and morphine for his back pain and was found dead in the back seat by his driver. His son, Hank Williams, Jr. and daughter Jett Williams continue in country music.

Hank Williams Website

ORIGINAL LYRICS
as reprinted in The Songs of Hank Williams, New York, no date, pp. 78-79.

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 began to die?
That means 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.