Hank Williams – I Saw The Light

Hank Williams was an American Country singer, highly regarded by many as among the most influential in the 20th century. Most of his music and hits were secular, including Move It on Over, Hey, Good Lookin, and Your Cheatin’ Heart. He died at the age of 29 due to heart failure, most likely caused by his abuse of prescription drugs and alcohol. During his short life, he released two albums: Hank Williams Sings (1951) and Moanin’ the Blues (1952). Several other albums attributed to Williams were released posthumously.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Hank-williams-i-saw-the-light-lyrics.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

It describes Williams’ testimony.  He was once in darkness, filled with sin and hard-hearted towards Jesus.  Then, in an instant, he was visited by Jesus, changing Williams’ heart towards repentence and faith.  Williams praises God for his transformation.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

All of it does.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1 and 2: Williams rejected Jesus, living his broken and spiritually dead life apart from Him (Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3, Proverbs 21:16, Luke 15:11-24, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13, and 1 Timothy 5:6).

Lines 3 and 4: This is not a reference to Christ coming back like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:43, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 16:15).  Rather, Williams’ experience is similar to Paul’s Damascus Road encounter in Acts 9:3-7, Acts 22:5-11, Acts 26:13-18 in that Christ appeared suddenly and without warning.  These passages also describe a light from heaven that flashed, blinding Saul for three days.  Later Ananias visited Saul, healed his blindness, and gave him food to eat (Acts 9:10-19).

The phrase “I saw the light” is also an idiom that describes a process much like repentence: the individual realizes that they did something wrong and works to behave differently.  Williams uses this phrase in contrast to his former lifestyle of sin, thanking God for rescuing him.

[Chorus]

Lines 1 and 2: Williams saw the light that is God that defeats the darkness within him (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).  Also, see commentary on Verse 1, lines 3 and 4.

Line 3: This is so because Williams handed his burdens to Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30).

Line 4: Repeats Verse 1, line 4.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-4: These lines add further evidence that my commentary on Verse 1, lines 3 and 4 are right on the money.

[Verse 3]

Line 1: Williams admits that he chose the wrong path.

Line 2: References Mathew 7:14.

Line 3: Williams traded his sorrows for Christ.

Line 4: Repeats Verse 1, line 4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Williams uses everyday language to make his point, throwing in terms like “Lord”, “God”, and “Jesus” to guide unbelievers towards Christianity.  Williams defines sin as “wandering along”, “foolishness”, and “going astray”, implying behavior contrary to God’s ways.  Unbelievers should easily conclude as I have in section 1.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that this song shows praise and gratitude to God for rescuing Williams from his foolish lifestyle of sin.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Hank Williams’ I Saw The Light is a wonderful classic.  He brings clarity through simplicity, communicating his transformation from sinner apart from God to righteousness offered by Christ easily understood by all, bringing Him glory.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: I Saw The Light (listen to the song)

Artist: Hank Williams

Album: Hank Williams Sings

Genre: Country

Release Year: 1948

Duration: 2:47

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