Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
"Death May Be Lingering Near"
I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.
Hank Williams was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is regarded as one of the most significant and influential songwriters of the 20th century. Williams recorded 55 singles that reached the top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western chart, including 12 that reached No. 1, three of which were released after his death.
Singing and writing songs that were spiritual and honky-tonk blues, the topic of death came up many times in Hank WIlliams songs, including A Home in Heaven, Angel of Death, The Funeral, I'll Be a Bachelor 'Til I Die, Jesus Died for Me and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. The last song he recorded was I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive.
Williams developed serious problems with alcohol, morphine, and other painkillers prescribed for him to ease the severe back pain caused by his spina bifida occulta. When bad weather prohibited him from flying to his next gig, he hired a driver to take him to the performance. On the way, Williams had several bad spells due to drugs.
After a 20 hour drive, they pulled over for gas and the driver found Williams was motionless. He had been dead so long that rigor mortis had set in. He was 30 years old. While drugs had contributed to his passing, there were rumours that he had deliberately taken an overdose because of a declining career. His biggest hits were released after his passing.
Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
"Death May Be Lingering Near"
I was writing a song about dying, when I noticed that everyone who writes or sings about death, dies ... and usually tragically.
Hank Williams was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is regarded as one of the most significant and influential songwriters of the 20th century. Williams recorded 55 singles that reached the top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western chart, including 12 that reached No. 1, three of which were released after his death.
Singing and writing songs that were spiritual and honky-tonk blues, the topic of death came up many times in Hank WIlliams songs, including A Home in Heaven, Angel of Death, The Funeral, I'll Be a Bachelor 'Til I Die, Jesus Died for Me and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. The last song he recorded was I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive.
Williams developed serious problems with alcohol, morphine, and other painkillers prescribed for him to ease the severe back pain caused by his spina bifida occulta. When bad weather prohibited him from flying to his next gig, he hired a driver to take him to the performance. On the way, Williams had several bad spells due to drugs.
After a 20 hour drive, they pulled over for gas and the driver found Williams was motionless. He had been dead so long that rigor mortis had set in. He was 30 years old. While drugs had contributed to his passing, there were rumours that he had deliberately taken an overdose because of a declining career. His biggest hits were released after his passing.
Side Note: I quickly reworked the theme of my tune to be about returning home through space and time (totally not dying). I then dropped the lyrics and turned the melody into a guitar instrumental. That should be safe (youtu.be/1FuUKGrjEGY)!
