26 Best Merle Haggard Songs (list with chords & lyrics)
Want to find the top Merle Haggard tracks ever made? Superb! You’re on the right web page. This is our list of the most noteworthy Merle Haggard tracks for you to check out right now.
We have included the best songs with their lyrics plus guitar chords, so you can sing and play along to these legendary songs as well.
Table of Contents
The Fightin Side Of Me
INTRO (slightly swung)
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VERSE 1
E B E B7
I hear people talking bad about the way we have to live here in this country
B7 E
Harpin' on the wars we fight, gripin' 'bout the way things ought to be
E B7
I don't mind them switchin' sides and standin' up for things they believe in
B7
When they're running down our country, man
E
They're walking on the fightin' side of me
CHORUS
E B7
They're walking on the fightin' side of me
B7 E
Runnin' down a way of life our fightin' men have fought and died to keep
E
If you don't love it, leave it
E7 A
Let this song that I'm singing be a warnin'
B7
When you're running down our country, hoss
E
You're walking on the fightin' side of me
(Repeat intro riff)
VERSE 2
E B
I read about some squirrely guy
E B7
Who claims that he just don't believe in fightin'
B7 E
And I wonder just how long the rest of us can count on bein' free
E B7
They love our milk and honey but they preach about some other way of livin'
B7
When they're running down our country, man
E
They're walking on the fightin' side of me
CHORUS
E B7
They're walking on the fightin' side of me
B7 E
Runnin' down a way of life our fightin' men have fought and died to keep
E
If you don't love it, leave it
E7 A
Let this song that I'm singing be a warnin'
B7
When you're running down our country, man
E C7
You're walking on the fightin' side of me
CHORUS (key change)
F C7
You're walking on the fightin' side of me
C7 F
Runnin' down a way of life our fightin' men have fought and died to keep
F
If you don't love it, leave it
F7 Bb
Let this song that I'm singing be a warnin'
C7
When you're running down our country, hoss
F
You're walking on the fightin' side of me
Today I Started Loving You Again
Capo: 2nd fret
CHORUS
E A E
Today I started loving you again.
E A E
I'm right back where I've really always been.
E E7 A E
I got over you just long enough to let my heartache mend.
E B7 E
Then, today I started loving you again.
VERSE
E A E
What a fool I was to think I could get by
E A B7
With only these few million tears I cried
E A E
I should have known the worst was yet to come
E B7 E
And that cryin' time for me had just begun.
CHORUS
E A E
Today I started loving you again.
E A E
I'm right back where I've really always been.
E E7 A E
I got over you just long enough to let my heartache mend.
E B7 E
Then, today I started loving you again.The Bottle Let Me Down
VERSE 1
D
Each night I leave the barroom when it's over
A
Not feeling any pain at closing time
A
But tonight your memory found me much too sober
D
Couldn't drink enough to keep you off my mind
CHORUS
D
Tonight the bottle let me down
A
and let your memory come around
A
The one true friend I thought I'd found
D
Tonight the bottle let me down
VERSE 2
D
I've always had a bottle I could turn to
A
And lately I've been turning everyday
A
But the wine don't take effect the way it used to
D
And I'm hurting in an old familiar way
CHORUS
D
Tonight the bottle let me down
A
and let your memory come around
A
The one true friend I thought I'd found
D
Tonight the bottle let me down
A D
Tonight the bottle let me down
I Think Ill Just Stay Here And Drink
VERSE 1
A D
Could be holding you tonight
D A
I could quit doing wrong and start doing right
A E
You don't care about what I think
E A
I think I'll just stay here and drink
VERSE 2
A D
Hey, putting you down won't square the deal
D A
A least you'll know what I feel
A E
Hey, take all the money in the bank
E A
I think I'll just stay here and drink
VERSE 3
A D
Hey, listen close and you can hear
D A
That loud jukebox playing in my ear
A E
Ain't no woman gonna change the way I think
E A
I think I'll just stay here and drink
INSTRUMENTAL
A D D A A E E A
VERSE 4
A D
Hey, hurtin' me know don't mean a thing
D A
Since love ain't here I don't feel a thing
A E
My mind ain't nothing but a total blank
E A
I think I'll just stay here and drink
INSTRUMENTAL
A D D A A E E A
Okie From Muskogee
INTRO
A D
VERSE 1
D
We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee;
D A
We don't take no trips on LSD
A
We don't burn no draft cards down on Main Street;
A D
We like livin' right, and bein' free.
VERSE 2
D
We don't make a party out of lovin'
D A
But we like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo
A
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy
A D
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do
CHORUS
D D
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
D A
A place where even squares can have a ball
A A
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
A D
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
VERSE 3
Eb
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear;
Eb Bb
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen.
Bb
Football's still the roughest thing on campus,
Bb Eb
And the kids here still respect the college dean.
CHORUS
Eb Eb
And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
Eb Bb
A place where even squares can have a ball.
Bb Bb
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
Bb Eb
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.
OUTRO
Bb Eb
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.
Bb Eb
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.Swinging Doors
Capo: 3rd fret
D G
This old smoke filled bar is something I'm not used to
D A
But I gave up my home to see you satisfied
D G
And I just called to let you know where I'll be living
D A D
It's not much but I feel welcome here inside
D G
And I've got swinging doors a jukebox and a barstool
D A
And my new home has a flashing neon sign
D G
Stop by and see me anytime you want to
D A D
Cause I'm always here at home till closing time
BREAK
D G D A D
D G
I've got everything I need to drive me crazy
D A
I've got everything it takes to lose my mind
D G
And in here the atmosphere's just right for heartaches
D A D
And thanks to you I'm always here till closing time
D G
And I've got swinging doors a jukebox and a barstool
D A
And my new home has a flashing neon sign
D G
Stop by and see me anytime you want to
D A D
Cause I'm always here at home till closing time
D A D
Yeah, I'm always here at home till closing timeWhite Line Fever
CHORUS
C F C
White line fever, a sickness born down
G C
Deep within my soul
C F C
White line fever,
C G
The years keep flying by
C
Like the highline poles
F G
The wrinkles in my forehead
C
Show the miles I've put behind me
F G
They continue to remind how fast I'm growin' old
C
Guess I'll die with this fever in my soul
VERSE 1
C G C
I wonder just what makes a man keep pushing on
G C
What makes me keep on hummin' this old highway song
F G C
I've been from coast to coast a hundred times before
F G C
I ain't found one single place where I ain't been before
CHORUS
C F C
White line fever, a sickness born down
G C
Deep within my soul
C F C
White line fever,
C G
The years keep flying by
C
Like the highline poles
F G
The wrinkles in my forehead
C
Show the miles I've put behind me
F G
They continue to remind how fast I'm growin' old
C
Guess I'll die with this fever in my soul
C F C
White line feverAre The Good Times Really Over
INTRO
C C C C
VERSE 1
C F
I wish a buck was still silver, it was back when the country was strong,
G7 C
Back before Elvis, before the Vietnam war came along,
C F
Before the Beatles and "Yesterday", when a man could still work, still would,
F G7 G7 C
is the best of the free life behind us now, and are the good times really over for good?
CHORUS
C F
And are we rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell.
G C
With no kind of chance for the flag or the liberty bell.
C F
I wish a Ford or a Chevy, would still last ten years like they should.
F G7 G7 C
Is the best of the free life behind us now, are the good times really over for good?
VERSE 2
C F
I wish Coke was still cola, and a joint was a bad place to be.
G7 C
It was back before Nixon lied to us all on TV.
C F
Before microwave ovens, when a girl could still cook, and still would,
F G7
Is the best of the free life behind us now,
G7 C
and are the good times really over for good?
CHORUS
C F
And are we rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell.
G C
With no kind of chance for the flag or the liberty bell.
C F
I wish a Ford or a Chevy, would still last ten years like they should.
F G7 G7 C*
Is the best of the free life behind us now, are the good times really over for good?
FINAL CHORUS
C F
Stop rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell.
G C
Stand up for the flag and let's all ring the liberty bell.
C F
Let's make a Ford or a Chevy, that'll still last ten years like they should.
F G7 G7 C*
'Cause the best of the free life is still yet to come, the good times ain't over for good? Ramblin Fever
G C
My hat don't hang on the same nail too long
G D
My ears can't stand to hear the same old song
G G7 C
And I don't leave the highway long enough
G
To bog down in the mud
G D G
Cause I've got ramblin' fever in my blood
I caught this ramblin' fever long ago
When I first heard a lonesome whistle blow
If someone said I ever gave a damn
They damn sure told you wrong
I've had ramblin' fever all along
CHORUS
G C G D
Ramblin' fever, the kind that can't be measured by degrees
G C G D G
Ramblin' fever, there ain't no kind of cure for my disease
D7 G C
There's times I'd like to bed down on a sofa
G C
And let some pretty lady rub my back
C Am C G
And spend the early morning drinking coffee
D G
And talking about when I'll be coming back
G C
Cause I don't let know no woman tie me down
G D
And I'll never get too old to get around
G C
I'm gonna die along the highway and rot away
C G
Like some old high-line pole,
D
Rest this ramblin' fever in my soul
CHORUSDriftwood
Abmaj7 F#maj7 C#
I'm just drift—wood
Ab
Drifting with the winds that blow across the sky
Eb7
I can't always be here with you, babe
Bbm Ab
I'm just driftwood drifting by
Ab
Our lives came together,
Eb7 Bbm Ab
Somehow we came to mingle for a while
Like two colors of the rainbow
Eb7 Bbm Ab
We blended well together for a while
Ab
But I won't ever anchor down
C# Ab
The Lord above has numbered all my days
I'm just driftwood
Eb7 Bbm Ab
And I think it's time I drifted on away
I'm just driftwood...Silver Wings
INTRO
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G|-------------1-1-1-1-2-2-1-|
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A|-2h4--2h4----2-2-2-2-2-2-2-|
E|-----------0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|
Play this lick twice. Basically it's the bass lick followed by an down-up strum of
E-E-E-E-Esus4-Esus4-E
VERSE 1
E
Silver wings shining in the sunlight
F#m B
Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight
E
They're taking you away and leaving me lonely
F#m B E
Silver wings slowly fading out of sight
BRIDGE
F#m B
Don't leave me I cry
E D#+ E
Don't take that airplane ride
F#
But you've locked me out of your mind
B
And left me standing here behind
(Stop)Thats The Way Love Goes
VERSE 1
G Dm G
I've been throwing horseshoes
C D
Over my left shoulder
C G
I've spent most all my life
A D
Searching for that four-leafed clover
G Dm G
Yet you run with me,
C D
Chasing my rainbows
C G
Honey I love you, too
D G
And that's the way love goes
VERSE 2
G Dm G
That's the way love goes, babe
C D
That's the music God made
C G
For all the world to sing
A D
It's never old; it grows
G Dm G
Losing makes me sorry
C D
You say, "Honey, now don't worry."
C G
Don't you know, I love you, too
D G
And that's the way love goes
Holding Things Together
CHORUS
CAPO: 1st FRET KEY: Bb PLAY: A
[A] HOLDING [E] THINGS [A] TOGETHER
Ain't no easy [A7] thing to [D] do
When it comes to raisin' [A] children
It's a job - meant for [E] two
[A] Alice [E] please be-[A]lieve me
I can't go [A7] on and [D] on
Holding things [A] together [E]
With you [A] gone.
Today was [E] Angie's [A] birthday
I guess it [A7] slipped your [D] mind
I tried twice to [A] call you
But no answer either [E] time
But the [A] postman [E] brought a [A] present
I mailed some [A7] days [D] ago
I just signed it love from [A] mama
So [E] Angie wouldn't [A] know.
CHORUS
Alice please believe me
I can't go on and on
Holding things together
With you gone.
Footlights
VERSE 1
G C G
I live the kinda life most men only dream of
D7 G
I make my livin' writing songs and singing them
C G
But I'm forty-one years old and I ain't got no place to go when it's over
But I'll hide my age and make the stage
D7 G
And try to kick the footlights out again
VERSE 2
C G
I throw my old guitar across the stage and then my bass-man takes the ball
D7 G
And the crowd goes nearly wild to see my guitar nearly fall
C G
After twenty years of pickin' we're still alive and kickin' down the wall
D7 G
Tonight I'll kick the footlights out and walk away without a curtain call
CHORUS
C
Tonight I'll kick the footlights out again
G
And try to hide the mood I'm really in
D7
And put on my old instamatic grin
G
Tonight I'll kick the footlights out again
VERSE 3
G C G
I live the kinda life most men only dream of
D7 G
I make my livin' writing songs and singing them
C G
But I'm forty-one years old and I ain't got no place to go when it's over
But I'll hide my age and make the stage
D7 G
And try to kick the footlights out again If We Make It Through December
INTRO
C Dm G C Bb F C
CHORUS
C F Fm C G Am
If We Make It Through December every thing's gonna be alright I know
Dm G C Bb F C
It's the coldest time of winter and I shiver when I see the falling snow
C F
If We Make It Through December
Fm C G Am
Got plans to be a warmer town come summer time
Dm
Maybe even California
G C Bb F C
If We Make It Through December we'll be fine
VERSE
Dm
Got laid off down at the factory
G C
And their timing's not the greatest in the world
Dm G C
Heaven knows I been working hard wanted Christmas to be right for daddy's girl
C7 F
I don't mean to hate December
Fm C G Am
It's meant to be the happy time of year
Dm G C Bb F C
And my little girl don't understand why daddy can't afford no Christmas here
CHORUS
C F Fm C G Am
If We Make It Through December every thing's gonna be alright I know
Dm G C Bb F C
It's the coldest time of winter and I shiver when I see the falling snow
C F
If We Make It Through December
Fm C G Am
Got plans to be a warmer town come summer time
Dm
Maybe even California
G C Bb F C
If We Make It Through December we'll be fine
OUTRO
C Dm G C Bb F CIf I Could Only Fly
Capo: 4th fret
C F
Almost felt you touching me just now
C G
I wish I knew which way to turn and go
C F
I feel so good and then I feel so bad
G7 C F C
I wonder what I ought to do
CHORUS
F C
If I could only fly, if I could only fly
G C
I’d bid this place goodbye and come and be with you
F C
But I can hardly stand, and I got nowhere to run
G C
Another sinking sun, and one more lonely night
C F
Wind keeps blowing somewhere everyday
C G
Tell me things get better somewhere up the way
C F
Just dismal thinking on a dismal day
G7 C F C
And sad songs for us to bear
Solo over verse:
F C
If I could only fly, if we could only fly
G C
If we could only fly, there'd be no more lonely nights
C
You know sometimes I write happy songs
F
Then some little thing goes wrong
C G G7
And I wish they all could make you smile
C
Comin home soon and I want to stay
F
Maybe we could somehow get away
G C F C
And I wish you could come with me when I go again
CHORUS
F C
If I could only fly, if I could only fly
G C
I’d bid this place goodbye and come and be with you
F C
But I can hardly stand, and I got nowhere to run
G C
Another sinking sun, and one more lonely nightMisery And Gin
First Verse
F
Memories and drinks don't mix too well.
Bb Bb A Ab G G7
Jukebox records don't play those wedding bells.
C7
Lookin' at the world through the bottom of a glass,
F C7
All I see is a man who's fading fast.
Second Verse
F
Tonight I need that woman again.
Bb Bb A Ab G G7
What I'd give for my baby to just walk in.
C7
Sit down beside me and say: "It's alright.
F C7
Take me home and make sweet love to me tonight.
Chorus
F F7/A Bb Gm7
But here I am again, mixin' misery and gin.
C9 C13 F
Sittin' with all my friends and talking to myself.
Bb A7sus A7 Dm Dm/C Gm
I look like I'm havin' a good time but any foo-ool can tell,
F/C Gm7 C13 F C7
That this Honky Tonk Heaven really makes ya' fee--el like hell.
Optional solo over verse chords
Third Verse
F
I light a lonely womans cigarette,
Bb Bb A Ab G G7
We start talking 'bout what we want to forget.
C7
Her life story and mine are the same.
F C7
We both lost someone and only have ourselves to blame.
Repeat ChorusIm A Lonesome Fugitive
VERSE 1
G C D
Down every road there's always one more city
C D G
I'm on the run, the highway is my home
G C D
I raised a lot of cane back in my younger days
C D G
While mama used to pray my crops would fail
G C D
Now I'm a hunted fugitive with just two ways:
C D G
Outrun the law or spend my life in jail
CHORUS
G C D
I'd like to settle down but they won't let me
C D
A fugitive must be a rolling stone
G C D
Down every road there's always one more city
C D G
I'm on the run, the highway is my home
VERSE 2
G C D
I'm lonely but i can't afford the luxury
C D G
Of having one i love to come along
G C D
She'd only slow me down and they'd catch up with me
C D G
For he who travels fastest goes alone
CHORUS
G C D
I'd like to settle down but they won't let me
C D
A fugitive must be a rolling stone
G C D
Down every road there's always one more city
C D G
I'm on the run, the highway is my home
C D G
I'm on the run, the highway is my homeMama Tried
INTRO
D
e|-----------------------------------|--pb12(13)-----------------------|
B|-----10-----10-----8-----7-----7---|-----------13--pb5(6)---/3--/3---|
G|---7------7------7-----7-----7---7-|---------------------5--/2--/2---|
D|-0------0------0-----0-----0-------|-------------------------0---0---|
A|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------|
VERSE 1
D G D G
The first thing I remember knowing was a lonesome whistle blowin'
D A7
And a young un's dream of growin' up to ride
D G D G
On a freight train leaving town, not knowin' where I'm bound
D A7 D
And no one could change my mind, but Mama tried
VERSE 2
D G D G
One and only rebel child, from a family meek and mild
D A7
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store
D G D G
'Spite of all my Sunday learning, toward the bad I kept on turnin'
D A7 D
'Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore
CHORUS
D G D
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
Bm A7
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried
D G D
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied,
A7 D
that leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried
GUITAR SOLO
D G
e|--pb12(13)----------------------------|
B|-----------13--pb5(6)-------3---3-5-3-|
G|---------------------5--2/4---4-------|
D|--------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------|
D A7 D
e|---------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------pb5(6)r---|
G|-------------------------------------------5-|
D|---0-0-3-0-0-5-0-0-6-5-3-0-3-5---0-----------|
A|-4-------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------|
VERSE 3
D G D G
Dear old Daddy, rest his soul, he left my mom a heavy load
D A7
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
D G D G
Workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best
D A7 D
She tried to raise me right, but I refused
CHORUS
D G D
And I turned twenty-one in prison doin' life without parole
Bm A7
No one could steer me right, but Mama tried, Mama tried
D G D
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied,
A7 D
that leaves only me to blame, 'cause Mama tried
OUTRO
D
e|-----------------------------------|--pb12(13)-----------------------|
B|-----10-----10-----8-----7-----7---|-----------13--pb5(6)---/3--/3---|
G|---7------7------7-----7-----7---7-|---------------------5--/2--/2---|
D|-0------0------0-----0-----0-------|-------------------------0---0---|
A|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------|Sing Me Back Home
VERSE
A E D A
The warden led a prisoner down the hallway to his doom
A E
I stood up to say goodbye like all the rest
A E D A
And I heard him tell the warden just before he reached my cell
A E A
'Let my guitar playing friend do my request.' (Let him...)
CHORUS
A E D A
Sing me back home with a song I used to hear
A E
Make my old memories come alive
A E D A
Take me away and turn back the years
A E A
Sing me back home before I die
VERSE
A E D A
I recall last Sunday morning a choir from off the street
A E
Came in to sing a few old gospel songs
A E D A
And I heard him tell the singers 'There's a song my mama sang.
A E A
Could I hear it once before you move along?' (Won't you...)
CHORUS
A E D A
Sing me back home with a song I used to hear
A E
Make my old memories come alive
A E D A
Take me away and turn back the years
A E A
Sing me back home before I die
A E D A
Sing me back home before I dieHungry Eyes
INTRO: D D D A
D D G D
A canvas covered cabin in a crowded labour camp
D D A A
Stand out in this memory I revived;
D D G D
Cause my daddy raised a family there, with two hard working hands
D A D D
And tried to feed my mama's hungry eyes.
He dreamed of something better, and my mama's faith was strong
And us kids were just to young to realize
That another class of people put us somewhere just below;
One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes.
CHORUS: D G D D
Mama never had the luxuries she wanted
D G D D
But it wasn't cause my daddy didn't try.
D G D D
She only wanted things she really needed;
D A D D
One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes.
I remember daddy praying for a better way of life
But I don't recall a change of any size;
Just a little loss of courage, as their age began to show
And more sadness in my mama's hungry eyes.
Mama never had the luxuries she wanted
But it wasn't cause my daddy didn't try.
She only wanted things she really needed;
One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes.
OUTRO: |D |A |D D A G |D A D - |
Oh, I still recall my mama's hungry eyes. [stop]
The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde
INTRO
G#7 G# D#
VERSE 1
D# Bb D#
Bonnie was a waitress in a small cafe
Bb D#
Clyde Barrow was the rounder that took her away
D#7 G# D#
They both robbed and killed until both of them died
Bb D#
So goes the legend of Bonnie and Clyde
VERSE 2
Bb D#
The poems that she wrote of the life that they led
Bb D#
Told of the lawmen left dying or dead
D#7 G# D#
Now some say that Clyde made her life a shame
Bb D#
But the legend made Bonnie the head of the gang
VERSE 3
Bb D#
Their rampage grew wilder with each passing day
Bb D#
Their odds growing smaller with each get-a-way
D#7 G# D#
The end getting closer the harder they fought
Bb D#
With blood on their hands they were bound to get caught
VERSE 4
Bb D#
They drove back from town on one bright summer day
Bb D#
When a man they befriended stepped out in the way
D#7 G# D#
With no thought of dying they pulled to the side
Bb D#
But death lay there waiting for Bonnie & Clyde
VERSE 5
Bb D#
Two years of running was ended that day
Bb D#
For robbin' and killing they both had to pay
D#7 G# D#
But We'll always remember how they lived an died
Bb D#
So goes the Legend of Bonnie & Clyde
Bb D# Bb D#
Bonnie & Clyde Bonnie & ClydeBig City
INTRO
E A
E B
E
VERSE 1
E A
I'm tired of this dirty old city.
E B
Entirely too much work and never enough play.
E A
And I'm tired of these dirty old sidewalks.
E B E
Think I'll walk off my steady job today.
CHORUS
E A E
Turn me loose, set me free, somewhere in the middle of Montana.
B
And gimme all I got comin' to me,
E A E
And keep your retirement and your so called social security.
B E
Big City turn me loose and set me free.
BREAK
E A E B E
VERSE 2
E A
Been working everyday since I was twenty.
E B
Haven't got a thing to show for anything I've done.
E A
There's folks who never work and they've got plenty.
E B E
Think it's time some guys like me had some fun. So
CHORUS
E A E
Turn me loose, set me free, somewhere in the middle of Montana.
B
And gimme all I got comin' to me,
E A E
And keep your retirement and your so called social security.
B E
Big City turn me loose and set me free.
OUTRO
B E
Hey, Big City turn me loose and set me free.Kern River
CHORUS:
D A
I'll never swim Kern River again.
A
It was there that I met her.
A E E7
It was there that I lost my best friend.
D
And now I live in the mountains.
C#m D
I drifted up here with the wind.
A
And I may drown in still water,
E A
But I'll never swim Kern River again.
VERSE
A
I grew up in an oil town,
D A
But my gusher never came in.
A
And the river was a boundary
A E (E7) E9
Where my darlin' and I used to swim.
A
One night in the moonlight
D A
The swiftness swept here life away.
A
And now I live on Lake Shasta and
A E A
Lake Shasta is where I will stay.
CHORUS
A
There's the South San Joaquin,
D A
Where the seeds of the dust bowl are found.
A
And there's a place called Mount Whitney
A E (E7) E9
>From where the mighty Kern River comes down.
A
Well, it's not deep nor wide,
A D A
But it's a mean piece of water my friend.
A
And I may cross on the highway,
E A
But I'll never swim Kern River again
CHORUS
Live This Long
VERSE 1
D D7
Time flies by in the blink of an eye
G D
When you get paid for having too much fun
D D/C# D/B D
Kicking out footlights, living the night life
E7 A
Like tomorrow ain’t never going to come
D D7
Wouldn’t change much of nothing about this road we’ve been running
G D
Full of wild times, wine, women and a song
G D/C# D/B
But we’d of taken much better care of ourselves
G A D
If we’d a known we was going to live this long
VERSE 2
D D7
Whiskey goes down like the cold Spring water
G D
Over rocks at the close of the day
D D/C# D/B D
When you’re flying like eagles down American highways
E7 A
You lose a lot of friends along the way
D D7
But we just keep on moving and rolling along
G D
Can’t look back we might turn to stone
G D/C# D/B
But we’d a taken much better care of ourselves
G A D
If we’d a known we was gonna live this long
CHORUS
Bm Bm/Bb Bm/A E7
If we’d a known we were going to live this long
G A D
We might have changed things up a bit
Bm Bm/Bb Bm/A E7
We still woulda’ve lived out every song
G A
Just maybe not quite as fast as we did
VERSE 3
D D7
But we’re in pretty good shape Will for the shape were in
G D
We’ll keep rocking along until we’re gone
G D/C# D/B
But we’d of taken much better care of ourselves
G A D
If we’d a known we was gonna live this long
CHORUS
G D/C# D/B
Yeah we’d a taken much better care of ourselves
G A D
If we’d a known we was gonna live this longWorking Man Blues
Capo: 4th fret
VERSE 1
E
It's a big job just gettin' by with nine kids and a wife
But, I been a working man dang near all my life
A E
And I'll keep on workin’ long as my two hands are fit to use
B
I drink my beer at a tavern
A E
And sing a little bit of these workin’ man blues
VERSE 2
E
I keep my nose on the grindstone, work hard every day
I might get a little tired on the weekend, after I draw my pay
A E
Gotta' go back workin, come Monday morning I'm right back with the crew
B
I drink a little beer that evening
A E
Sing a little bit of these workin’ man blues
VERSE 3
E
Sometimes I think about leaving', do a little bummin' around
I wanna throw my bills out the window, catch a train to another town
A E
I'll go back working, I gotta buy my kids a brand new pair of shoes
B
I drink a little beer in a tavern
A E
Cry a little bit of these workin’ man blues
Here comes that working man
[Instrumental Verse]
VERSE 4
E
Well hey, hey, the working man, working man like me
I ain't never been on welfare, and that's one place I won't be
A E
'Cause I'll keep working, long as my two hands are fit to use
B
I'll drink my beer at a tavern
A E
Sing a little bit of these workin’ man blues
This song's for the working manListen To Merle Haggard Songs
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Unlike other music streaming sites, Amazon Music Unlimited allows you to listen to Merle Haggard both online and offline (so you could be listening to your favorite Merle Haggard tracks from anywhere in the world, without worrying about data usage or having the songs cut out midway)
This offer is currently available when we last checked (May 1st 2024), but we can’t say for sure if they’ll still be offering it when you are reading this. The quickest way to find out is to click here.
Which Song Did We Miss?
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