I wish a buck was still silver – It was back when the Country was strong, Back before Elvis before the Vietnam War came along, Before the Beatles and Yesterday, When a man could still work – STILL WOULD –
The best of the FREE-LIFE behind us now – Are the good times really over for good – Are we rolling down hill like a snowball headed for HELL..With no kind of chance for the Flag or the Liberty Bell..
I wish a Ford & a Chevy would still last ten years like they should..Is the best of the FREE-LIFE behind us now..Are the good times really over for good..
Wish Coke was still Cola an a joint was a bad place to be..It was back before BYDDON LIED to us all on TV.. Before microwave ovens – when a girl could still cook – still would..The best of the FREE-LIFE behind us now..Are the good times really over for good..
Are we rolling down hill like a snowball headed for HELL..With no kinda chance for the Flag the Liberty Bell, I wish a Ford & a Chevy would still last ten years like they should..
Is the best of the FREE-LIFE behind us now?? Are the good times really over for good..
STOP rolling down hill like a
snowball headed for HELL!
STAND-UP FOR THE FLAG AND LET’S ALL RING
THE LIBERTY BELL!
Let’s make a Ford & a Chevy still last ten
years like they should..
THE BEST OF THE FREE-LIFE IS STILL YET TO
COME..THE GOOD TIMES AIN’T OVER FOR
GOOD!!
Merle Haggard was before his time! And so was this song! I do believe we could all learn something from this man and his music!
Merle’s older brother gave him his guitar when he was 12. He was very close to his father, so when he died of a brain hemorrhage it sent Merle in a tailspin, he was 9. So started his life of crime. In 1950 he was caught shoplifting and sent to juvenile detention. The following year he and his friend ran away to Texas, there they rode freight trains and hitchhiked throughout Texas. His first performance was in a Modesto Bar named “Fun Center” where he was paid $5.00 and given a beer.
In 1957 he was married and broke. So he tried to rob a Bakersfield roadhouse, and was caught and arrested. He was convicted an sent to jail. After an escape attempt he was transferred to San Quentin Prison on February 21, 1958. While in prison Haggard learned his wife was PG from another man. Haggard started a gambling and brewing racket with his cellmate. After he was caught drunk, he was sent for a week in solitary confinement. His friend “Rabbit” (James Kendrick) escaped, he shot a Police Officer then returned to San Quentin for Execution. While in solitary he met Caryl Chessman, an Author & death row inmate who was also executed. After both “Rabbit” and Chessman’s executions, Haggard decided to change his ways.
Johnny Cash came to the prison New Years Day 1959. Then Haggard decided to devote himself to his music. He was released from San Quentin in 1960. In 1972 Calif governor Ronald Reagan granted Haggard a full and unconditional pardon for ALL his past crimes.
On April 6th 2016 his 79th birthday, Haggard died from complications of pneumonia at his home. He is buried at his Ranch in Palo Cedro, Shasta County, California.
R.I.P Merle Haggard thank you for the
beautiful music