If music could reach out and grab your heart across the decades, Hank Williams Sr. just did it. In a rarely heard recording of “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” the country legend gives a stripped-down, soul-stirring performance that feels both ghostly and intimate. Most people know this song from Willie Nelson, but here, Hank’s version feels like it was always his to sing. Raw. Real. Relentless.
Originally written by Fred Rose (Hank’s own producer), “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” is a mournful tune about lost love and longing. In this version, part of The Unreleased Recordings, Hank takes that emotion and strips it down to the bone. With simple guitar strums and his aching voice, he sings about saying goodbye and growing old alone. It’s not flashy—it’s gut wrenching and somehow incredibly beautiful.
Hank Williams Sr – Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Though this performance wasn’t released until decades later—fans instantly recognized its power. Country lovers flooded the comments with praise, calling Hanka’s delivery “timeless,” “haunting” and “better than any version they’ve heard.” It’s one of those rare recordings that feels like it’s whispering directly to your soul.
If you thought Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain was emotional, wait until you hear “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” It’s another one of Hank’s most famous tearjerkers—and it shows how nobody, nobody, captured loneliness quite like him.
I’M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY (1949) by Hank Williams
People describe this song as “country sadness in its purest form.” It’s slow, poetic, and hits right where it hurts. It’s no wonder so many artists have tried to cover it—though few ever come close to Hank’s original.
Even though Hank Sr. passed away in 1953, his legacy lives strong. You can still follow tribute pages and historical archives on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter—keeping the King of Country’s memory alive.