The Funeral
Hank Williams
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I was walking in Savannah past a church, decayed and dim When slowly through the window came a plaintive funeral hymn And my sympathy awakened and a wonder quickly grew `Til I found myself envied in a little colored pew. Out front a colored couple sat in sorrow, nearly wild On the altar was a casket and in the casket was a child I could picture him while livin`, curly hair, protruding lips I`d seen perhaps a thousand in my hurried southern trips. Rose a sad, old colored preacher from his little wooden desk With a manner sorta awkward, and countenance grotesque The simplicity and shrewdness in his Ethiopian face Showed the wisdom and ignorance of a crushed, undying race. And he said, "Now don`t be weepin` for this pretty bit of clay For the little boy who lived there has done gone and run away He was doin` very finely and he appreciates your love But his shore `nuff Father wanted him in the big house up above. The Lord didn`t give you that baby, by no hundred thousand miles He just thought you need some sunshine, and He lent it for awhile And He let you keep and love it `til your hearts were bigger grown And these silver tears you`re sheddin` now is just interest on the loan. Just think, my poor dear mourners, creepin` `long on sorrows life`s way What a blessed picnic this here baby got today Your good fathers and good mothers crowd the little fellow `round In the Angel`s tender garden of the big plantation ground. And his eyes they brightly sparkle at the pretty things he viewed But a tear came, and he whispered, `I want my parents , too` But then the Angel`s chief musicians teach that little boy a song Says if only they be faithful they`ll soon be comin` `long. So, my poor detached mourners, let your hearts with Jesus rest And don`t go to criticizin` the One what knows the best He has give us many comforts, He`s got the right to take away To the Lord be praised in glory, forever, let us pray."
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Written by: JOHN T. WILLIAMS
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Historical Context"The Funeral" is a song by Hank Williams, also known as "Hiram" Hank Williams. He was an American singer-songwriter and musician highly regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century.
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Release DetailsThe song is one of many hundreds Hank Williams sang throughout his life. However, it was never actually released as a single.
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GenreThis composition by Hank Williams shares elements of many music styles but is usually classified under country and folk music genres.
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NarrativeThe deep sultry tones and eerie lyrics give "The Funeral" a particularly somber feel, fitting with its title. The song tells the story of a brother mourning the death of his sibling.
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Recording"The Funeral" was recorded on August 30, 1949, during one of Williams' radio shows.
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Posthumous Releases"The Funeral" was released posthumously on different albums, including "Health and Happiness Shows" in 1989 and "The Complete Hank Williams" in 1998.
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StorytellingThe song demonstrates Williams' unique storytelling ability, a remarkable quality that made him a legend of country music.
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PseudonymHank Williams also recorded under the pseudonym 'Luke the Drifter', and some of his more solemn, moralizing songs like "The Funeral" were attributed to that name.
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LegacyDespite its lack of commercial release, "The Funeral" remains one of Williams' most beloved songs amongst fans, due to the deep-seated emotions it evokes.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by other artists such as John Doe & The Sadies, highlighting the enduring impact of Williams' songwriting.
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Citation
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"The Funeral Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/828292/Hank+Williams/The+Funeral>.
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