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.
Movin' On
Merle Haggard Lyrics
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Movin' on.
Big wheels rollin', gotta keep 'em goin',
Big wheels rollin',
Movin' on.
The white line is the life line to a nation.
Livin' like a gypsy, always on the go
Doin' what they best know how to do.
Jammin' gears has got to be a fever,
'Cause men become addicted to the grind.
It takes a special breed to be a truck drivin' man,
And a steady hand to pull that load behind.
Big wheels rollin', big wheels rollin'
Movin' on.
Merle Haggard's "Movin' On" is a song that pays tribute to truck drivers and the vital role they play in keeping America moving. The song speaks of the white line, which refers to the painted line on the highway that separates the lanes, being the life line of the nation. The lyrics suggest that the ones who make this line move are men like Will and Sonny, who are always on the go.
Haggard paints a picture of a truck driver's life, one that is like that of a gypsy, always on the move. He talks about how men become addicted to the grind and the sound of a truck's engine, and how it takes a special breed to be a truck driver. It requires a steady hand to pull the load behind and keep the big wheels rolling.
The chorus of the song, "Big wheels rollin', big wheels rollin', Movin' on," is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of trucks in keeping things moving for the nation. Overall, "Movin' On" is a tribute to the unsung heroes of the road whose work is essential for America's economy to keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Big wheels rollin', big wheels rollin'
The large truck wheels are constantly moving and making progress on their journey.
Movin' on.
Continuing on the path ahead, leaving behind their previous location.
Big wheels rollin', gotta keep 'em goin'
It's important to keep the truck wheels moving in order to reach their destination.
The white line is the life line to a nation.
The painted line on the road is essential for transportation and connects people and places across the country.
And men like Will and Sonny make it move.
Truck drivers are vital to keeping the country moving by transporting goods and supplies along the highways.
Livin' like a gypsy, always on the go
Truck drivers live a nomadic lifestyle, constantly on the move from place to place.
Doin' what they best know how to do.
Driving a truck is what these drivers are skilled at and most comfortable doing.
Jammin' gears has got to be a fever,
Shifting gears in a truck is an intense and exciting experience for drivers.
'Cause men become addicted to the grind.
Truck drivers can become so passionate about their work that they can't imagine doing anything else.
It takes a special breed to be a truck drivin' man,
Truck driving requires a unique set of skills and personality traits.
And a steady hand to pull that load behind.
A steady hand is necessary when hauling heavy loads to ensure safety on the road.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MERLE HAGGARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jimmy Ray
on Carryin' Fire
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...