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.
Why Me
Merle Haggard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I've known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you've shown.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way
I can try to repay
All I've taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
In the song "Why Me", Merle Haggard is expressing his gratitude and wonder at the blessings he has received in his life. He asks the Lord why he has been so fortunate, and what he has done to deserve such kindness. At the same time, he acknowledges that he has not always lived up to his potential, and has wasted some of the gifts he has been given. He expresses a desire to repay the Lord for all that has been done for him, and to help others who may be struggling as he once did.
The song is a testament to Haggard's faith, and his belief that God has played a major role in his life. It also reflects his desire to give back and to make a difference in the world. Overall, "Why Me" is a powerful expression of gratitude and humility, and it serves as an inspiration to anyone who has felt fortunate in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Why me Lord, what have I ever done
Lord, why have you blessed me? What have I done to deserve all these good things?
To deserve even one
I don't even feel like I deserve a single blessing.
Of the pleasures I've known
I have experienced so many good things in my life.
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
Please tell me, Lord, what have I done to be worthy of your love and kindness?
That was worth loving you
What value have I brought to your life that makes you love me?
Or the kindness you've shown.
Why have you been so kind to me?
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
I have not made good use of the blessings you have given me.
Help me Jesus I know what I am
I recognize my faults and shortcomings.
Now that I know that I've need you so
Now that I see how much I need you.
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
I am putting my trust in you to guide me and protect me.
Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way
Lord, is there a way for me to make it up to you for taking your blessings for granted?
I can try to repay
I am willing to try to make it right.
All I've taken from you
I realize now that I have taken your blessings for granted.
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
Perhaps I can use my experiences to help others who are going through similar struggles.
What I've been through myself
I know what it feels like to struggle and need help because I have been through it myself.
On my way back to you.
I am on a journey to return to a closer relationship with you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
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...