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.
Our Hearts Are Holding Hands
Merle Haggard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's lonely just to sit here by myself each night
Not knowing when I'll ever get to hold you tight
Oh yes I have temptations and sometimes it's pretty rough
But temptation's never strong as our sweet love
Cause our hearts are holding hands across the miles
Cause I know you're my woman
And I know you're my man
We're far apart but our hearts are holding hands
Today a stranger looked my way and flashed his gold
And said he'd buy me all the treasures I could hold
But I took out your last letter that said you love me so
And there I found the strength to tell him no
Cause our hearts are holding hands
And come what may our hearts are holding hands
The song "Our Hearts Are Holding Hands" by Merle Haggard is about a couple who are geographically separated but are still emotionally connected. Despite the distance and loneliness, the two are reminded that their love for one another is enough to keep them going. The song speaks to the idea that true love can withstand any physical distance or temptation.
The singer acknowledges his own struggles with temptation but notes that his love for his partner is stronger. The song reinforces the idea that love is not simply a physical act but a deep emotional connection that can transcend any challenges. The couple is committed to each other despite the challenges they face.
The chorus particularly emphasizes the emotional connection rather than the physical, with the line "our hearts are holding hands across the miles." The song ends on a note of hope and determination with the couple affirming their love for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
We're far apart but our hearts're holding hands
Even though we are physically apart, our love for each other is keeping us connected.
It's lonely just to sit here by myself each night
I feel sad and alone when I am by myself at night.
Not knowing when I'll ever get to hold you tight
I do not know when we will be able to see each other again and embrace.
Oh yes I have temptations and sometimes it's pretty rough
Sometimes, I am tempted to be unfaithful, and it is difficult to resist the urge.
But temptation's never strong as our sweet love
Even though the temptation exists, it will never compare to the strength of our love for each other.
Cause our hearts are holding hands across the miles
Although we are separated by distance, our hearts are still connected to each other.
Even though we're lonely we can smile
Even though we feel lonely, we can still be happy knowing that we love each other.
Cause I know you're my woman
I am aware that you are the love of my life.
And I know you're my man
I am aware that you are the love of my life.
Today a stranger looked my way and flashed his gold
Today, a person I did not know looked at me and showed me his wealth.
And said he'd buy me all the treasures I could hold
The unfamiliar person suggested he could purchase all the riches I desired.
But I took out your last letter that said you love me so
I retrieved the last letter you sent me, which professed your love for me.
And there I found the strength to tell him no
Upon reading your letter, I was emboldened and refused the stranger's offer.
And come what may our hearts are holding hands
Regardless of what happens, our love will remain unshaken.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: BILL ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joannahalaby3975
Great song, thanks for posting and they are holding hands now. They were great together.
@davecioffi9886
Love it
@melin520
We're far apart but our hearts are holding hands
It's lonely just to sit here by myself each night
Not knowing when I'll ever get to hold you tight
Oh yes, I have temptations
and sometimes it's pretty rough
But temptation's never strong as our sweet love
'Cause our hearts are holding hands
across the miles
Even though we're lonely we can smile
'Cause I know you're my woman
and I know you're my man
We're far apart but our hearts are holding hands
**********************
Today a stranger looked my way and flashed his gold
And said he'd buy me all the treasures I could hold
But I took out your last letter t
hat said you love me so
And there I found the strength to tell him no
'Cause our hearts are holding hands
across the miles
Even though we're lonely we can smile
'Cause I know you're my woman
and I know you're my man
We're far apart but our hearts are holding hands
And come what may our hearts are holding hands.....
@AmeisterAmerica
The BEST!