A House of Gold
| "A House of Gold" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Hank Williams | |
| A-side | "How Can You Refuse Him Now?" |
| Released | 1954 |
| Recorded | 1948 or 1949, Shreveport |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 2:15 |
| Label | MGM Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Hank Williams |
"House of Gold" is a hymn written by Hank Williams.[1] It was released by MGM Records as the B-side to "How Can You Refuse Him Now?" in 1954. It was recorded as a demo when Williams worked the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport between August 1948 and May 1949.[2] The song admonishes those who "steal, cheat, and lie" in pursuit of material wealth rather than finding salvation in God. Despite being a posthumous single that he never recorded with his band in a studio, "A House of Gold" became one of Hank's most covered hymns.
Cover versions
[edit]- The Jordanaires also covered the song in 1956.
- George Hamilton IV cut the song in 1958 for ABC.
- Floyd Cramer recorded an instrumental version for RCA in 1962.
- George Jones recorded the song as a duet with Melba Montgomery in 1964 for United Artists.
- Porter Wagoner cut it in 1966.
- Hank Williams, Jr. cut the song for MGM in 1969.
- The Seldom Scene covered the song on their album Act Two in 1973.
- Kenny Rankin covered the song in 1970 and again in 1976.
- Connie Smith recorded the song on Columbia in 1975.
- Moe Bandy covered the song in 1983.
- Mike Ness covered the song on the album "Under The Influences" in 1999.
- Dierks Bentley covered the song in 2008.
- Willie Nelson included a version on his 2010 album Country Music.
- The Secret Sisters on their debut album.
References
[edit]- Sources
- Escott, Colin; Merritt, George; MacEwen, William (2004). Hank Williams: The Biography. Little, Brown. ISBN 978-0-316-73497-4.