Hank Williams - The Hank Williams Songbook

Words and Music by Hank Williams

Heres a story about firsts: Hanks first session for MGM Records took place on April 21, 1947, at Nashvilles Castle Studio, where he did most of his recording. The first of four tunes recorded that day was Move it On Over, a twelve-bar blues boogie remarkably similar to the few-years-later Rock Around the Clock, which many regard as the first rock hit. Move it On Over was Hanks first Billboard chart entry; it climbed to #4 on the country charts and brought him his first substantial royaltiesenough money to buy his first house. Local newspaper reviews of the single called him a spur-jangling Sinatra. Decades later, George Thorogood made it a rock tune.

Additional Verses

2. Shes changed the lock on our front door, and my door key dont fit no more, so
get it on over. (Move it on over.) Scoot it on over. (Move it on over.)
Move over, skinny dog, cause the fat dogs movin in.

3. This dog house here is mighty small but its better than no house at all, so
ease it on over. (Move it on over.) Drag it on over. (Move it on over.)
Move over, old dog, cause a new dogs movin in.

4. She told me not to play around, but I done let the deal go down, so
pack it on over. (Move it on over.) Tote it on over. (Move it on over.)
Move over, nice dog, cause a mad dogs movin in.

5. She warned me once, she warned me twice, but I dont take no ones advice, so
scratch it on over. (Move it on over.) Shake it on over. (Move it on over.)
Move over, short dog, cause a tall dogs movin in.

6. Shell crawl back to me on her knees. Ill be busy scratchin fleas, so
slide it on over. (Move it on over.) Sneak it on over. (Move it on over.)
Move over, good dog, cause a mad dogs movin in.

7. Remember, pup, before you whine, that sides yours and this sides mine, so
shove it on over (Move it on over.) Sweep it on over. (Move it on over.)
Move over, cold dog, cause a hot dogs movin in.

I Saw the Light

Words and Music by Hank Williams

Williams recorded I Saw the Light during the Move it On Over session. His former idol, Roy Acuff, had a hit with the tune before Hank released it. It has become a sort of country anthem.

In the flatpicking version of this tune, youll use this partial G chord and this D6:

In the fingerpicking arrangement, youll find the same sliding E chord/fragment as in Cold, Cold Heart, plus this high B7 formation/E chord:

Additional Verses

2. Just like a blind man I wandered alone.Worries and fears I claimed for my own.
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight, praise the Lord, I saw the light. (Chorus)

3. I was a fool to wander and stray, for straight is the gate and narrows the way.
Now I have traded the wrong for the right, praise the Lord, I saw the light. (Chorus)

My Sweet Love Aint Around

Words and Music by Hank Williams

November 7, 1947, in Castle Studio, Hank cut My Sweet Love Aint Around and the famous Mansion on the Hill.

Additional Verses

2. Lord, I think Ill start to ramble, got to leave this weary town.
This old place is way too lonely, cause my sweet love aint around.

3. On that train tonight Im leavin, and dont ask me where Im bound.
I cant stay here any longer cause my sweet love aint around.

A Mansion on the Hill

Words by Fred Rose
Music by Hank Williams

Audrey Williams spread the legend, probably untrue, that Hank wrote A Mansion on the Hill in a room at WSM during his first meeting with Fred Rose, to prove he could write a song on the spot. Nevertheless, the song is a lesson in how to tell a moving story in very few words.

Additional Verses

2. Do you recall when we parted, the story to me you revealed?
You said you could live without love dear, in your loveless mansion on the hill.

3. Ive waited all through the years love, to give you a heart true and real.