I Saw the Light (Hank Williams song)

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I Saw the Light is a country gospel song by Hank Williams that was composed in 1947 and recorded and released a year later.

Although it received little attention at the time of its appearance, the number is one of Williams' most famous and beloved these days. The text is often associated with Williams' own life and also served as the title for a 2015 biographical film about Hank Williams.

text

The poetic text describes a man who tells of how he walked lonely and absent-mindedly on his way until he was saved by Jesus and saw the light , after which he should never again grope in darkness.

It is possible that Williams was expressing his own spiritual yearnings with this song as he became more and more addicted to alcohol and strong pain relievers until he was hopelessly addicted.

At the same time as I Saw the Light , Calling You was created , which is very similar in content. Other religious songs by him include Thank God , The Pale Horse and his Rider and I Heard my Mother Praying for Me .

Cover versions

The song was covered several times. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band landed with their version of the song at number 56 on the Billboard country singles chart in 1971.

Johnny Cash sang the song in the Columbo episode Swan Song (German: Schwanengesang ). He also interpreted the piece together with Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis in the early 80s for the live album The Survivors Live .

Other covers are by Crystal Gayle , Roy Acuff , Merle Haggard , Hank Williams Jr. , Bobby Bare , Bill Monroe , Etta James and David Crowder Band .

Trivia

  • The song was voted # 1 of the 20 greatest Songs of Faith by CMT in 2005 .

Web links