Ramblin' Man (Hank Williams song)

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"Ramblin' Man" is a song written in 1951 by Hank Williams. It was released as the B-side to the 1953 #1 hit "Take These Chains from My Heart", as well as to the 1976 re-release of "Why Don't You Love Me". It's also included on the "40 Greatest Hits", a staple of his CD re-released material.

The song is notable for the simplicity of its structure, relying upon a 2-chord, minor-key, rhythm guitar figure and alternating minimal accompaniment from fiddle and steel guitar. It also features Williams' trademark "yodel". The song's 3-verses, all ending in the title line, are sang straight through with no pause for instrumental solos. The song tells the story of a man trapped in his drifting ways, doomed to break his lover's heart. Tales of wanders were a common theme for Williams, and consequently, Country Music as a whole.

The Allman Brothers also released their own song called Ramblin' Man in 1973.

[edit] Cover versions

• Willams's grandson, Hank Williams III, performed the song with The Melvins on the 1999 album The Crybaby.
• Steve Young covered the song on his 1975 album Honky Tonk Man.
• The Residents covered the song on their album Stars & Hank Forever, a double tribute to Willams and John Philip Sousa.
• Albert Kuvezin and Yat-Kha covered the song on their 2005 album Re-Covers.
• The song was also performed by Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan on the 2006 album Ballad of the Broken Seas.
• The song was also covered by Cat Power on the 2008 album Jukebox