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.
This Song Is Mine
Merle Haggard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And at times I've done the same and couldn't sing them
At times I've written songs about some things I didn't do
But these are my words and mine alone these words are true
I've written words in many ways to make them rhyme
And at times I've stolen notes that wadn't mine
Sometimes I changed my style all around to make it new
These are my words and this is my way and it's for you
These are my words those notes are mine this song is mine
'Cause I love you honey with all of my heart my soul and my mind
These words are mine those notes are mine this song is mine
In Merle Haggard's song "This Song is Mine", the singer reflects on his career and the different ways he has approached creating music. He acknowledges that there have been times when he has sung songs that he didn't fully understand or relate to, and that he has sometimes "stolen" musical notes or changed his style to create something new. However, he emphasizes that the words in this particular song are his own and that they are true to him.
The theme of authenticity is central to the lyrics. Haggard is insisting that he is taking ownership of his work, both musically and lyrically, and expressing himself in a way that feels genuine. He even employs repetition to drive this point home: "These are my words" and "this song is mine" are repeated several times throughout the song. He seals the deal with the final lines of the song: "These words are mine, those notes are mine, this song is mine."
Overall, "This Song is Mine" is a declaration of artistic integrity and personal ownership. Haggard's message is one that resonates with any artist who creates from a place of truth and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes songs are done by singers that don't mean them
Occasionally, musicians perform songs that they don't have a personal connection to.
And at times I've done the same and couldn't sing them
Even I have performed songs that I didn't truly feel a connection to and it showed in my performance.
At times I've written songs about some things I didn't do
There have been moments when I have written songs about experiences I haven't had myself, but I still try to make them authentic.
But these are my words and mine alone these words are true
Regardless of the source of my inspiration, the lyrics are always my own and honest.
I've written words in many ways to make them rhyme
I've experimented with different methods of writing, sometimes prioritizing rhyme schemes over other aspects of the music.
And at times I've stolen notes that wadn't mine
I have admittedly borrowed melodies from other songs to use in my own music.
Sometimes I changed my style all around to make it new
I've played around with different styles in order to keep my music from feeling stale or repetitive.
These are my words and this is my way and it's for you
All of my creative choices are a reflection of my artistic vision and they are intended for my audience's enjoyment.
'Cause I love you with all of my heart my soul and my mind
This song is an expression of my deep love and devotion for you, my audience.
These are my words those notes are mine this song is mine
Every aspect of this song is a product of my creative output and belongs to me alone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HAGGARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
stephen lamb
One of the Greatest Albums in Country music history! What a great song off it! Wish I was back in time putting it on the record player for the first time when I was 14!
Hagfan789
A great song from Merle's 1981 album titled, "Big City".
Pondy Hsu
Sometimes songs are done by singers
that don't mean them
And at times I've done the same
and couldn't sing them
At times I've written songs
about some things I didn't do
But these are my words and
mine alone these words are true
I've written words in many ways
to make them rhyme and
at times I've stolen notes that wasn't mine
Sometimes I changed my style
all around to make it new
These are my words and
this is my way and it's for you
++++++++++++
'Cause I love you with all of my heart
my soul and my mind
These are my words
those notes are mine
this song is mine
'Cause I love you honey
with all of my heart
my soul and my mind
These words to mine
those notes to mine
this song is mine.....
wayne ward
I loved the both of them. They were the best.
Mitzi Wood
one of my favorites
charlotte met
It rained today. I guess the angels are weeping happy tears to have Merle with them. See you later Merle. We will never forget you. I would love to have seen this reunion with you and the Possum.
Scott Weindegher
I love you merl❤️ what a lovely song merl
Shirley Hamilton
RIP Merle