"I Saw the Light" is a 1948 gospel song written and first performed by Hank Williams, not to be confused with the hit song by Todd Rundgren or the No. 1 country hit by Wynonna Judd.
With poetic lyrics, such as "I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin/I wouldn't let my dear Savior in," the song was written about Williams' religious convictions despite his alcoholic vices. Though the song was not a commercial success upon its first release, it has become one of the songs most closely associated with Williams.
Since its release, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Crystal Gayle for her album Someday (1995), Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Acuff (1948), Bobby Bare (1966), Merle Haggard (1971), Etta James (2001), Bill Monroe (1958), Jerry Reed, Willie Nelson (1979), The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (No. 56 on Billboard Country Singles charts, 1971), Earl Scruggs (1972), Mason Proffit (1973), Hank Williams, Jr. (1969), Dash Rip Rock (1987), The The (1995), Johnny Cash (in the Columbo episode "Swan Song"), David Crowder Band (2005), and The Charlie Daniels Band (2001).
The Hank Williams version of the song reached No. 1 on CMT's 20 Greatest Songs of Faith in 2005.
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