About The Song
Hank Williams, a legendary figure in country music, is renowned for his distinctive voice and poignant songwriting that often delved into the darker side of life. Among his extensive repertoire, “A Tramp On The Street” stands out as a powerful ballad that encapsulates themes of loneliness, despair, and the struggles of the downtrodden.
Written by Grady Cole and Hazel Cole, the song was first recorded by Williams in 1951 and later released in 1953 on his album “Hank Williams Sings Your Requests”. The song’s melancholic tone is immediately established by the opening lines, “I’m just a tramp on the street, with no place to go”, setting the stage for the protagonist’s narrative of hardship and isolation.
Throughout the song, Williams paints a vivid picture of the protagonist’s destitute existence. He sings of being “cold and hungry”, “with no one to care”, and “no place to lay my head”. The lyrics are laden with imagery that evokes a sense of hopelessness and despair, such as “the rain’s a-pouring down” and “the wind’s a-blowin’ cold”.
Williams’s heartfelt delivery further accentuates the song’s emotional impact. His plaintive voice, tinged with sadness and vulnerability, perfectly conveys the protagonist’s pain and suffering. The listener can almost feel the character’s loneliness and desperation as they struggle to survive on the unforgiving streets.
“A Tramp On The Street” is more than just a song about homelessness; it is a powerful exploration of the human condition. It speaks to the universal themes of loneliness, loss, and the search for belonging. Williams’s evocative lyrics and passionate performance combine to create a truly moving and unforgettable piece of music.
The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless message and emotional resonance. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, and Willie Nelson, each offering their own unique interpretation. However, it is Williams’s original recording that remains the definitive version, a classic example of his songwriting and performing genius.
“A Tramp On The Street” is a powerful and moving ballad that serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by the most vulnerable members of society. It is a song that demands to be heard and felt, and it continues to resonate with listeners today, more than 70 years after its initial release.
Video
Lyric
Only a tramp was Lazarus sad fateHe who lay down at the rich man’s gate He begged for the crumbs from the rich man to eat He was only a tramp found dead on the streetHe was some mother’s darlingHe was some mother’s son Once he was fair and once he was young And some mother rocked him, her darling to sleep But they left him to die like a tramp on the streetJesus who died on Calvary’s treeHe shed his life’s blood for you and for me They pierced his sides, his hands and then his feet Then they left him to die like a tramp on the streetHe was Mary’s own darling, he was God’s chosen sonOnce he was fair and once he was young Mary, she rocked him, her darling to sleep But they left him to die like a tramp on the streetIf Jesus should come and knock on your doorOr a place to come in and bread from your store Would you welcome him in or turn him away? And then God would deny you, on the great judgement day