Okie From Muskogee
Mike And The Strangers Lyrics
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We don't take our trips on LSD
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street
We like livin' right, and bein' free
We don't make a party out of lovin'
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen
Football's still the roughest thing on campus
And the kids here still respect the college dean
WAnd I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.
The song "Okie From Muskogee" by Merle Haggard, performed by Mike And The Strangers, was released in 1969 and quickly became a hit, especially among the conservative population of the United States. The lyrics describe the singer's pride in being from Muskogee, a small town in Oklahoma, and his rejection of the counterculture movements of the late 1960s, such as drug use, hippie fashion, and protests against the Vietnam War. The song is both a celebration of traditional American values and a criticism of what the singer sees as immoral, unpatriotic behavior.
The first verse of the song sets the tone by stating what Muskogee residents do not do: smoke marijuana or take LSD, burn draft cards, or engage in wild partying. Instead, they value living a conservative, responsible life. The second verse emphasizes the value of romance and traditional courtship, rejecting the free love lifestyle of hippies. The chorus declares the singer's pride in being a square from Muskogee, where patriotism and public displays of patriotism are common. The final verse emphasizes the value of traditional masculinity, with football and boots being celebrated over effeminate fashion.
The song was both celebrated and criticized upon its release. Many conservatives saw it as an anthem for traditional American values during a time of great change and upheaval, while many liberals saw it as reactionary and backward-looking. However, the song has endured as a cultural touchstone and has been covered by many artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee
In Muskogee, we do not partake in the use of marijuana
We don't take our trips on LSD
We don't indulge in LSD for a recreational experience
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street
We do not protest the draft by burning our cards publicly on Main Street
We like livin' right, and bein' free
We enjoy living our lives according to the principles of morality and freedom
We don't make a party out of lovin'
We do not consider love-making to be a reason for a party or celebration
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo
We prefer simpler forms of displaying affection such as holding hands and talking sweetly
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy
We don't follow the trend of growing long and shaggy hair like the hippies in San Francisco
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do
Unlike the people in San Francisco, we prefer to keep our hair neat and trimmed
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
I am happy to belong to Muskogee, Oklahoma and its values
A place where even squares can have a ball
Even people who are not hip or trendy can have a good time in Muskogee
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
We still demonstrate our patriotism by raising the American flag at the courthouse
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
Drinking white lightning, high-proof whiskey, is still one of the most exciting things to do
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear
The style for manly footwear hasn't changed in Muskogee and leather boots are still popular
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen
Wearing beads and Roman sandals is not a fashionable trend in Muskogee
Football's still the roughest thing on campus
Football remains the most physically demanding sport in the university campus
And the kids here still respect the college dean
The students in Muskogee still have high regard for the dean of the college and follow college regulations dutifully
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
Drinking white lightning, high-proof whiskey, is still one of the most exciting things to do
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
Drinking white lightning, high-proof whiskey, is still one of the most exciting things to do
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MERLE HAGGARD, ROY BURRIS, ROY EDWARD BURRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind