Английская Википедия:I Saw the Light (Hank Williams song)

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"I Saw the Light" is a country gospel song written by Hank Williams. Williams was inspired to write the song while returning from a concert by a remark his mother made while they were arriving in Montgomery, Alabama. He recorded the song during his first session for MGM Records, and released in September 1948. Williams' version did not enjoy major success during its initial release, but eventually it became one of his most popular songs and the closing number for his live shows. It was soon covered by other acts, and has become a country gospel standard.

In September 1946, Hank Williams auditioned for Nashville's Grand Ole Opry but was rejected. After the failure of his audition, Williams and his wife Audrey tried to interest the recently formed music publishing firm Acuff-Rose Music. Williams and his wife approached Fred Rose, who signed him to a six-song contract, and leveraged a deal with Sterling Records.Шаблон:Sfn In December 1946, Williams had his first recording session. The songs "Never Again (Will I Knock on Your Door)" and "Honky Tonkin'" became successful, and earned Williams the attention of MGM Records.Шаблон:Sfn His first MGM session took place on April 21, 1947. The first song he recorded was "Move It on Over". The second was "I Saw the Light".

Composition

Williams was inspired to write the song in January 1947 while returning from a show in Fort Deposit, Alabama. His mother, Lilly, drove him and the band back to Montgomery that night. As she was approaching the city, she spotted the lights of Dannelly Field Airport. Williams, who slept inebriated in the backseat of the car, was roused by his mother, who told him "I just saw the light", announcing to him that they were close to Montgomery. He wrote the first draft on January 26, 1947.Шаблон:Sfn The lyrics and the melody by Williams closely resembled Albert E. Brumley's "He Set Me Free", published in 1939 and released in March 1941 by the Chuck Wagon Gang.Шаблон:Sfn Biblical citations were used, including the Gospels of Matthew and John,Шаблон:Sfn as well as excerpts from the First Epistle to the Thessalonians and Book of Revelation.Шаблон:Sfn As Williams' biographer Colin Escott astutely observes, while the melody and even some of the lyrics bear a passing resemblance to the earlier Brumley tune, "'I Saw the Light' wasn't just 'He Set Me Free' with new lyrics, though. It was the prayer of the backslider, who lives in hope of redemption."Шаблон:Sfn

Recording and release

Williams recorded the song during his first session with MGM Records on April 21, 1947. The band was composed by part of Red Foley's backing, including Zeke and Zeb Turner (guitar), Brownie Raynolds (bass), Tommy Jackson (fiddle) and Smokey Lohman (steel guitar).Шаблон:Sfn Williams also recorded a version of the song during a later session with his wife, which he sent to Rose on August 19. In the accompanying letter, he discouraged the producer from issuing the recording.Шаблон:Sfn Audrey, like many people who sing badly, seemed to have no sense of how bad she was as a vocalist. Country-music biographer Colin Escott wrote, "Her duets with Hank were like an extension of their married life in that she fought him for dominance on every note." Шаблон:Sfn

While the release of Williams' recording was held, the first issued version was by Clyde Grubb, who recorded it on August 13, 1947.Шаблон:Sfn Grubb's version was released by RCA Records (RCA 20-2485) in October 1947 with "When God" on the flipside, backed by his Tennessee Valley Boys.Шаблон:Sfn Williams' version was released in September 1948, while it was later copyrighted on November 16.Шаблон:Sfn It was backed with "Six More Miles (To the Graveyard)" and issued on MGM Records (MGM 10271).Шаблон:Sfn Boys' Life favored the record, stating: "It's a typical Hank Williams lament, which you western and hillbilly fans will eat up".Шаблон:Sfn Hank Williams first appeared on the Kate Smith Evening Hour on March 26, 1952, and joined in with the rest of the cast singing "I Saw The Light."

Legacy

"I Saw the Light" was not a commercial success upon its release but has since become his most recognized hymn and one of his most popular songs.Шаблон:Sfn The song became a standard for both the country music and gospel music genres, and has been covered by several artists of the two genres and beyond. Allmusic called it one of Williams' "finest songs concerning his strong religious conviction".Шаблон:Sfn It was ranked first in Country Music Television's 20 Greatest Songs of Faith in 2005.Шаблон:Sfn The 2015 Williams biopic starring Tom Hiddleston was named after the song.Шаблон:Sfn

Bob Dylan has also referred to it as a source for religious significance.

The University of Mississippi's 'Pride of the South' marching band performs a marching band arrangement of the song as part of their pregame repertoire. As many as 60,000 fans can be heard clapping along to the beat of the music.

Cover versions and other media

Footnotes

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References

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Шаблон:Hank Williams Шаблон:Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

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