Haggard was born in Oildale, California, during the Great Depression. His childhood was troubled after the death of his father, and he was incarcerated several times in his youth. After being released from San Quentin State Prison in 1960, he managed to turn his life around and launch a successful country music career. He gained popularity with his songs about the working class that occasionally contained themes contrary to the prevailing anti-Vietnam War sentiment of much popular music of the time. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, he had 38 number-one hits on the US country charts, several of which also made the Billboard all-genre singles chart. Haggard continued to release successful albums into the 2000s.
He received many honors and awards for his music, including a Kennedy Center Honor (2010), a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), a BMI Icon Award (2006), and induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1977), Country Music Hall of Fame (1994) and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (1997). He died on April 6, 2016 — his 79th birthday — at his ranch in Shasta County, California, having recently suffered from double pneumonia.
Haggard's last recording, a song called "Kern River Blues", described his departure from Bakersfield in the late 1970s and his displeasure with politicians. The song was recorded February 9, 2016, and features his son Ben on guitar. This record was released on May 12, 2016.
Haggard endorsed Fender guitars and had a Custom Artist signature model Telecaster. The guitar is a modified Telecaster Thinline with laminated top of figured maple, set neck with deep carved heel, birdseye maple fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets, ivoroid pickguard and binding, gold hardware, abalone Tuff Dog Tele peghead inlay, 2-Colour Sunburst finish, and a pair of Fender Texas Special Tele single-coil pickups with custom-wired 4-way pickup switching. He also played six-string acoustic models. In 2001, C. F. Martin & Company introduced a limited edition Merle Haggard Signature Edition 000-28SMH acoustic guitar available with or without factory-installed electronics.
Carryin' Fire
Merle Haggard Lyrics
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And I know your's as well as my own
I know you still need me and you're out there somewhere
And maybe you're cold and alone
I'm carryin' fire, carryin' fire
Burning for you, a raging desire
I'm out of control the flame's ever high
Months slowly circle flickering candle
A fire is all you can see
If love is the feeling of one for the other
Then surely you're looking for me
I'm carryin' fire, I'm carryin' fire
Burning for you, a raging desire
I'm out of control the flame's ever high
But what can I do I'm burning for you, carryin' fire
The lyrics of Merle Haggard's song "Carryin' Fire" convey a message of hope and longing for love. The song portrays a story of a lost love that the singer still yearns for. It mentions the memories of the times when their love was strong and sincere. Haggard's lyrics reflect on how both parties were deeply in love and understood each other's needs. He acknowledges that his love may still need him, even if they are not together. The song's chorus, "I'm carrying fire, carryin' fire, burning for you, a raging desire," emphasizes the burning desire he has for his lost love.
As time passes, the character continues to carry the fire, a symbol of their everlasting love. The flickering candle and the fire that is all he can see add to the feeling of hopelessness that the character is experiencing as he longs for his love. The lyrics recognize that if love is felt by both parties, and they are meant to be together, they will find each other again.
"Carryin' Fire" is a beautiful and poignant representation of the emotions one can feel when they lose love. It shows how love can leave a lasting impression and continue to exist even when the relationship has ended. The lyrics of "Carryin' Fire" bring a sense of comfort and hope to those who have experienced lost love, reminding them that their love can still live in their memories and hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember you loved me with all of your heart
I have fond memories of the past when you loved me wholeheartedly.
And I know your's as well as my own
I understand your feelings and emotions as deeply as I understand my own.
I know you still need me and you're out there somewhere
I believe that you still require my presence even though you are not physically close to me.
And maybe you're cold and alone
You might be experiencing a sense of seclusion and loneliness without me.
I'm carryin' fire, carryin' fire
I am still in love with you with a passion that never fades or diminishes.
Burning for you, a raging desire
My longing and craving to be with you are unquenchable and intense.
I'm out of control the flame's ever high
My feelings for you are uncontrollable and they continue to grow stronger.
But what can I do I'm burning for you, carryin' fire
I cannot help but feel this way for you, it's an all-consuming passion I cannot extinguish.
Months slowly circle flickering candle
Time is passing slowly as I reminisce about our time together through the dim light of a candle.
A fire is all you can see
All I can think about is the intense desire I have for you, it fills my mind completely.
If love is the feeling of one for the other
Love is the deep emotion that one has for another person.
Then surely you're looking for me
If love is what you're seeking, then you must be searching for me because I am the one who loves you the most.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jimmy Ray
I'm a co-writer on this song and the lyrics are not quite right here. Instead of the word high it should be higher. The last verse is A moth slowly circles the flickering candle, the fire is all it can see...