MERLE HAGGARD
THE ROOTS OF MY RAISING
Capitol ST-11586
November/1976
Produced by Ken Nelson & Fuzzy Owen
1.
ROOTS OF MY RAISING
(Tommy Collins)
« © '71 Tree Publishing, BMI »
I left the four lane highway took a blacktop seven miles
Down by the old country school I went to as a child
Two miles down a gravel road I could see the proud old home
A tribute to a way of life that's almost come and gone
The roots of my raising run deep
I come back for the strength that I need
And hope comes no matter how far down
I sink the roots of my raising run deep
I pulled into the driveway Lord it sure was good to be there
And through the open door I could see that dad was asleep in his favorite chair
In his hand was a picture of mom and I remembered how close they were
So I just turned away I didn't want to wake him spoil his dreams of her
A christian Mom who had the strength for life the way she did
Then to pull that apron off and do the Charleston for us kids
Dad a quiet man who's gentle voice was seldom heard
Who could borrow money at the bank simply on his word
The roots of my raisin' run deep...
The roots of my raisin' run deep
**********
2.
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT PLANNED TONIGHT DIANA
(Dave Kirby)
« © '76 Tree Publishing, BMI »
I remember it all started in 1929 when me and Diana came to Alaska
To homestead some of this free government land
Forty mile from the nearest gravel road
We cut our life in the ponderosa pines
We sweated hard to beat the winter snow
But the cabin's up and we've got lots of times
What have you got planned tonight Diana
Would you consider laying in my arms
I love you more than ever now Diana
I'm sure you're the reason I was born
Jim was born the first year we were here
Look at him my God he's almost grown
The baby's in the cradle fast asleep
Just think in no time he'll be up and gone
What have you got planned tonight Diana...
The time sure does fly doesn't it Dianna
It's been almost two years now since since you've been gone
Speaking of time I guess you know that mine's bout up I'm gonna see you tonight
Just another breath or two and I'll be home by the way
What have you got planned tonight Diana...
**********
3.
WALTZ YOU SAVED FOR ME
(Gus Kahn - Wayne King - Emil Flindt)
« © '31 Feist Catalog, ASCAP / Keyes Gilbert Music, ASCAP »
[ fiddle ]
Ever in dreams with you I'll sway dear to the waltz you saved for me
Ever in dreams while I'm away dear you'll hear this melody
Whisper goodbye and gently say dear that in all the days to be
You will sometimes remember the waltz you saved for me
**********
4.
WALK ON THE OUTSIDE
(Dave Kirby - Chuck Howard)
« © '71 Tree Publishing, BMI »
I've been in here so long I forgot what I did wrong
Just a kid when they put me here inside
I don't have long to live and Lord what I would give
Mhm just to walk on the outside
Phones would even end when they put me to this pen
And that told me planes would never fly
There's a lot I've never seen except here in this scene
Lord give me a walk on the outside
Now Lord I'm not complained
But I'd walk at least a million miles behind these walls
I'd just like to see what's on this other side that's all
There's a lot I've never seen...
There's a lot I've never seen...
**********
5.
GAMBLING POLKA DOT BLUES
(Jimmie Rodgers - Roy E. Hall)
« © '33 Peer International, BMI »
Thought I was a gambler I broke every shark in town
Until I met a rounder who called all I put down
I put the cards on the table and he drew an ace high hand
He bet his watch and I called it and lost my money like a man
I've got them polka dot blues the polka dot blues
I lost my hat and my coat and my straight lace shoes
I sold my watch and went back to lose
The mean old gambling polka dot blues
Got the gambling polka dot blues
[ guitar - dixieland - fiddle ]
My gal had plenty so I got Twenty then went back and sat down
I got a Four but I thought it was more as he dealt the cards around
He set the deck on the table and I bet him all I could stand
Well I turned over a measly Four he had another Ace-high hand
I've got them polka dot blues...
Got the gambling polka dot blues
**********
6.
CHEROKEE MAIDEN
(Cindy Walker)
« © '42 Unichappell Music, BMI »
One night when the moon was bright o'er a moonlight glade
That is where I found my little Cherokee maid
The me'mry of that night of love is lingering yet
And I know I never will forget
My little Cherokee maiden I love her so and though we're far apart
I know I'll never be tradin' my love for her for anybody else's heart
Someday I'll make a trip back to the Cherokee strip
And I'll carry her away with me
And straight as an arrow flies we'll live to paradise
My sweet little chickadee my little Cherokee maiden and me
[ sax ]
My little Cherokee maiden I love her so...
**********
7.
AM I STANDING IN YOUR WAY
(Merle Haggard)
« © '77 Tree Publishing, BMI »
If he ever gets to you I know he'll ignite the flame
And it hurts to know how close he really came
Last night you both kept dancing when the music ceased to play
Is it all over do you still love me or am I standing in your way
Tell me the way feel I've got to know
Should I stay and keep trying or should I go
Last night he almost made it he's still on your mind today
Is it all over do you still love me or am I standing in your way
[ guitar - horns - steel ]
Tell me the way feel I've got to know
Should I stay and keep trying or should I go
Last night he almost did it he's still on your mind today
Is it all over do you still love me or am I standing in your way
**********
8.
COLORADO
(Dave Kirby)
« © '77 Tree Publishing, BMI »
**********
9.
I NEVER GO AROUND MIRRORS
(Lefty Frizzell - Sanger D. Shafer)
« © '51 Peer International, BMI / Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
I can's stand to see a good man go to waste
One who never combs his hair or shaves his face
A man who leans on wine over love that's told a lie
Oh it tears me up to see a grown man cry
So I never go around mirrors
I can't stand to see me without you by my side
I never go around mirrors
Cause I got a heartache to hide
[ steel - guitar ]
I never go around mirrors...
And it tears me up to see a grown man cry
**********
10.
MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUES
(Jimmie Rodgers - Jack Neville)
« © '33 Peer International, BMI »
With friends around and even pals that I know are true
Still I'm lonely homesick and blue
There's no one who can cheer me when I'm alone
Longing for my Mississippi home
Way down on the delta on that Mississippi shore
In that muddy water I long to be once more
When that shadows creep about and the whippoorwill call
You can hear old mommy shout come in here you all
Way down on the levee strolling in the pale moon light
You can see those steamboats and fields of snowy white
That's a feeling I can't lose muddy water in my shoes
When I get those Mississippi Delta blues (yodel)
[ dixieland ]
I long to hear them singing songs them old melodies
Swanee River and Ol' Black Joe
That sweet magnolia perfume floating on the breeze
Way down south is where I long to go
Hey way down on the delta...
**********