I Saw the Light (Hank Williams song)

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

Although he attracted little attention at the time of its appearance, the number belongs nowadays to the most famous and most popular of Williams. The text is often associated with Williams ' own life.

Text

The poetic text describes a man who talks about how he lonely and scattered went his way until he was rescued by Jesus and saw the light, and he should never fall into darkness again.

It would be possible that with this song Williams expressed his own spiritual longings, while he was dependent on alcohol, more and more, until he was finally hopelessly addicted.

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

Cover versions

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

Johnny Cash sang the song in the Columbo episode Swan Song ( German: Swan Song ). In addition, he performed the piece together with Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis early 80s for the live album The Survivors Live.

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

Trivia

• The song was chosen in 2005 by CMT at rank 1 of the 20 greatest songs of Faith.