1.

(# 3 country hit)
(# 90 pop hit)

Soldier's Last Letter

Ernest Tubb - Redd Stewart

© Noma Music, BMI

I'm writing this down in a trench mom
Don't scold if it isn't so neat
The way that you did when I was a kid
And I'd come home with mud on my feet

The captain just gave us our orders
And mom we will carry them through
And I'll finish this letter the first chance I get
But for now I'll just say I love you

Then the mother's old hands began to tremble
And she fought against tears in her eyes
But they came unashamed for there was no name
And she knew that her soldier had died

Then the mother knelt down by her bedside
And she prayed Lord above hear my plea
And protect all the sons who are fighting tonight
And dear God keep America free

I'm writing this down in a trench mom
Don't scold if it isn't so neat

**********

2.

Shelly's Winter Love

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

I know I'm only Shelly's winter love
She only seems to need me now and then
I know I'm only Shelly's winter love
But she's mine alone till springtime comes again

When springtime comes I know that she'll be leaving
When those friends of her start calling her from town
So I live and wait for Shelly's winter season
When her trouble moments bring her back around

I know I'm only Shelly's winter love...
[ instrumental ]
When Shelly's painted world turns cold and stormy
It's been she find the need to come around
To these arms of mine she knows are always waiting
But she'll leave and love this thought of winter ground

I know I'm only Shelly's winter love...

**********

3.

(# 3 country hit)
(# 107 pop hit)

Jesus Take A Hold

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

Like the ancient Roman empire this world is doomed to fall
And it's much too big a thing for mortal man
Just take a look around and see the writing on the wall
Somehow we've got to find a helping hand

This world has never been in the awful shape it's in
And people scorn the things our leaders do
It's time the prayer was spoken from the heart of every man
Jesus take a hold and lead us through

The magic roar of gunfire is now a local sound
And our city streets are filled with angry men
Love's now a mockery throughout our troubled land
And destruction seems to be the current trend

This world has never been in the awful shape it's in
And our leaders seem in doubt of what to do
It's time the prayer was spoken from the heart of every man
Jesus take a hold and lead us through
Jesus take a hold and lead us through

**********

4.

(# 3 country hit)
(# 106 pop hit)

I Can't Be Myself

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

It's a way of mine to say just what I'm thinking
And to do the things I really want to do
And you want to change the part of me I'm proud of
So I can't be myself when I'm with you

Oh you never liked the clothes I wear on Sunday
Just because I don't believe the way you do
But I believe the Lord knows I'm unhappy
Cause I can't be myself when I'm with you

I can't be myself and be what pleases you
And down deep inside I don't believe that you want me to
And it's not my way to take so long deciding
That I can't be myself when I'm with you
[ instrumental ]
I can't be myself and be what pleases you...
No I can't be myself when I'm with you

**********

5.

I'm A Good Loser

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

Yeah I'm a good loser born to be that way
This dog he never had his day
Yeah I'm a good loser so don't worry bout my pride
Me don't look back you can't see my hurt inside

There must be a sin I'm payin' for
Cause I felt my share of heartaches long before
This same life runs in cycles I can't say they're wrong
My lucks been running bad too long

But I'm a good loser born to be that way...
[ instrumental ]
There's no sign of changes coming soon
And I may never sing another tune
Cause losin' you will prob'ly be my biggest hurt to date
But don't you let my feelin's make you wait

Cause I'm a good loser born to be that way...

**********

6.

Sidewalks Of Chicago

Dave Kirby

© Tree Pub, BMI

Mhm these Levi's that I'm wearin' have been good to me
They just won't admit they're growing old
And though my shirt's made contact with a gutter now and then
At least it keeps my body from the cold

Thank God folks back home in Harlan County
Can't see what success has done for me
Would you believe that kids in Harlan High School
Voted me most likely to succeed

Now I'm walking on the sidewalks of Chicago
If I buy the bread I can't afford the wine
Now I'm walking on the sidewalks of Chicago
Wishing I had lived some other time

I wasn't here too long before I met her
And the lady she really swept me off my feet
And she stayed just long enough to make me to love her
And now they're sweepin' me up off the street

My mama thinks I've really hit the big time
She's written every day since I've been gone
But she doesn't know that 109 West Charlotte
Is the address of the West Side Mission Home

Now I'm walking on the sidewalks of Chicago...

**********

7.

No Reason To Quit

Dean Holloway

© Tree Pub, BMI

There's a circle of people where I'm no longer welcome
I'm ashamed to say that I'm no longer fit
I could sober up tomorrow and face my friends again
But I've got no reason to quit

I've got no reason for living right
And there's no other way to forget
I know down deep inside me I'm man enough to change
But I've got no reason to quit
[ instrumental ]
I've got no reason for living right...
No I've got no reason to quit

**********

8.

If You've Got Time (To Say Goodbye)

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

If you've got time to say goodbye
Have mercy on a guy that's gonna miss you
I know you're in a hurry
But consider all the hurt I'm going through

Let me brace my heart so I can face the part
That I've been dreading for so long
If you've got time to say goodbye
Then I promise I won't cry till you're gone

I know a man should never show his feelings
And I should pretend I'm glad you're leaving

If you've got time to say goodbye...

**********

9.

The Farmer's Daughter

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

Tonight there'll be candle light and roses
In this little country chapel that's almost fallen down
There'll be tears in these old farmer's eyes this evening
When I give my one possession to that city boy from town

His hair is a little longer than we're used to
But I guess I should find something good to say
About this man who's won the farmer's daughter
And will soon become my son in law today

Mama left eight years ago December
And it was hard to be a dad and mama too
But somehow we made a home of this old farmhouse
And love was all my baby ever knew

He could be the richest man in seven counties
And not be good enough to take her hand
But he says he really loved the farmer's daughter
And I know the farmer's daughter loved the man

**********

10.

I've Done It All

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

Did you ever steal a quarter when you was ten years old
Ever wear a brogan with a hole in the sole
Did you ever ride a freight train while runnin' from the law
I've done it all Lawd Lawd I've done it all

Did you ever spend a winter in a dirty jail
Did you ever buy a top coat at a rummage sale
Did you ever spend a Christmas inside detention hall
I've done it all Lawd Lawd I've done it all

Well I've picked my share of cotton boys
And I've drove one railroad spike
And I've been ever where I talk about
And I can tell you what it's like

I've even been to Frisco wearin' regular clothes
Felt them modern hippy folks starin' down their nose
I can proudly say I've answered my patriotic call
I've done it all Lawd Lawd I've done it all hey
[ instrumental ]
Well I've picked my share of cotton boys...
I've even been to Frisco wearin' regular clothes...
[ instrumental ]
Bobby better known as the second man here on the guitar

**********