1.

(# 1 country hit)

Okie From Muskogee

Merle Haggard - Eddie Burris

© Blue Book Music, BMI

We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee
We don't take our trips on LSD
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street
Cause we like living right and being free

We don't make a party out of loving
But we like holding hands and pitching woo
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do

I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Ol' Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightning'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

And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee...

We still wave Ol' Glory down at the courthouse
In Muskogee Oklahoma USA

(Thank you thank you very much
Thank you very much really thank you
Oh my goodness thank you)

I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
Thank you
We still wave Ol' Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightning's still the biggest thrill of all

**********

2.

(# 3 country hit)

The Emptiest Arms In The World

Merle Haggard

© Shade Tree Music, BMI

I only call when I've had that one too many
And my lonely room goes spinning in a whirl
And tonight I couldn't even find my pillow
I've got the emptiest arms in the world

I no longer wear the gold band on my finger
And from time to time I find myself a girl
But when I realize that she's not you I'm holding
I've got the emptiest arms in the world

My empty arms won't ever hold you close again
And these cheap hotels they're like a prison cell that keeps closin' in
And you alone can fill this lonely feelin' of the emptiest arms in the world

And you alone can fill this empty feelin' of the emptiest arms in the world

**********

3.

(# 1 country hit)

Mama Tried

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

The first thing I remember knowin' was a lonesome whistle blowin'
And the youngest dream of growin' up to ride
On a freight train leavin' town not knowin' where I'm bound
And no one could change my mind but mama tried

One and only rebel child from a family meek and mild
My mama seemed to know what lay in store
Spite of all my Sunday learnin' toward the bad I kept on turnin'
Till mama couldn't hold me anymore

I turned twenty one in prison doing life without parole
No one could steer me right but mama tried mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better but her pleading I denied
That leaves only me to blame cause mama tried
[ instrumental ]
Dear old daddy rest his soul left my mama heavy load
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Working hours without rest wanted me to have the best
She tried to raise me right but I refused

And I turned twenty one in prison doing life without parole...

**********

4.

(# 5 country hit)

Swinging Doors

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

This ol' smoke filled bar is something I'm not used to
But I gave up my home to see you satisfied
I just called to let you know where I'll be livin'
It's not much but I feel welcome here inside

I've got swinging doors a jukebox and a barstool
And my new home has a flashing neon sign
Stop by and see me anytime you want to
Cause I'm always here at home till closin' time
[ instrumental ]
I've got everything I need to drive me crazy
And I've got everything it takes to lose my mind
And in here the atmosphere's just right for heartaches
Thanks to you I'm always here till closin' time

I've got swinging doors a jukebox and a barstool...
I'm always here at home till closin' time

**********

5.

Uncle Lem

Glenn Martin

© Tree Pub, BMI

Ladies of the Garden Club say his home is just a disgrace to the town
If the mayor wants re-elected he'd better pass some laws and tear it down
They wanna cover it with flowers maybe even plant some Dogwood trees
I guess that they've forgotten when we were kids what that place used to be

I know it's just a shanty now but Lord that place was built with human tears
For it's the home of Uncle Lem who was born and raised and lived there ninety years
There's not a boy in this ole town that hadn't stopped for water at his well
Or sat on his porch in the evenin' and listened to the stories that he'd tell

His hair was the color of cotton fields and his skin was old and brown
And he was born in that rundown shack before there was a town
He bought that shack and piece of earth for the highest price you'd pay
His mom was bought and sold there Uncle Lem was born a slave

The mayor and some ladies of the Garden Club went out to that old shack
To tell Uncle Lem that he'd have to find another place to live
But they found him there in that old broken down rockin' chair
And on an old brown paper sack they found his will
Now I wanna leave my old shotgun to the fine mayor of this town
For I remember when he was just a little fella he used to follow me around
Lord, I wish I had more to leave to my friends that I love
But Lord all I've got's this old shack and piece of earth
And I want it to go to the ladies of the Garden Club

His hair was the color of cotton fields and his skin was old and brown...
His mom was bought and sold there Uncle Lem was born a slave

**********

6.

(# 1 country hit)
(# 92 pop hit)

The Fightin' Side Of Me

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

I hear people talkin' bad about the way they have to live here in this country
Harpin' on the wars we fight and gripin' bout the way things ought to be
I don't mind 'em switchin' sides and standin' up for things that they believe in
When they're runnin' down my country man they're walkin' on the fightin' side of me

They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me
Runnin' down a way of life our fightin' men have fought and died to keep
If you don't love it leave it let this song that I'm singing be a warnin'
When you're runnin' down our country hoss you're walkin' on the fightin' side of me
[ instrumental ]
I read about some squirrely guy who claims that he just don't believe in fightin'
And I wonder just how long the rest of us can count on bein' free
They love our milk and honey but they preach about some other way of livin'
And when they're runnin' down my country man they're walkin' on the fightin' side of me

They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me...
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me...

**********

7.

(# 1 country hit)

Sing Me Back Home

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

The warden led a prisoner down the hallway to his doom
And I stood up to say goodbye like all the rest
And I heard him tell the warden just before he reached my cell
Let my guitar playing friend do my request

Let him sing me back home with a song I used to hear
Make my old mem'ries come alive
Take me away and turn back the years
Sing me back home before I die

I recall last Sunday morning a choir from off the street
Came in to sing a few old gospel songs
And I heard him tell the singers there's a song my mama sang
Could I hear it once before you move along

Won't you sing me back home with a song I used to hear..
Sing me back home before I die

**********

8.

Silver Wings

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

Silver wings shining in the sunlight
Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight
They're taking you away leaving me lonely
Silver wings slowly fading out of sight

Don't leave me I cried
Don't take that airplane ride
But you locked me out of your mind
Left me standing here behind

Silver wings shining in the sunlight...
[ instrumental ]
Silver wings shining in the sunlight...
Slowly fading out of sight

**********

9.

Sing A Sad Song

Wynn Stewart

© Owen Publications, BMI

Sing me a song of sadness
And sing it as blue as I feel
If a tear should appear
It's because she's not here
Sing a sad song and sing it for me

She's unhappy with me she told me so
I'm unhappy without her and I still love her so

Oh sing me a song of sadness
Pretend it's the end of the world
Sing it sweet and sing it low
And then I'll have to go
Sing a sad song and sing it for me
[ instrumental ]
Sing it sweet and sing it low
And then I'll have to go
Sing a sad song and sing it for me

**********

10.

Honky Tonk Night Time Man

Merle Haggard

© Shade Tree Music, BMI

I'm a honky tonk night time man
I can't stand no light
I get my rest in the daytime
I make my running round at night

I had the blues this morning
I had the blues all day today
I had the blues this morning
I had the blues all day today
But when the sun goes down
I'm gonna tuck my blues away away
[ instrumental ]
Lord my heart starts beatin'
When the sun starts sinking low
Lord my heart starts beatin'
When the sun starts sinking low
When the shadows fall
I know it's time to go
[ instrumental ]
I'm a honky tonk night time man...

**********

11.

(# 1 country hit)

Kentucky Gambler

Dolly Parton

© Owepar Pub, BMI

I wanted more from life than four kids and a wife
And a job at a dark Kentucky mine
A twenty acre farm with a shacky house and barn
That's all I had and all I left behind
But at gambling I was lucky and so I left Kentucky
And left behind my woman and my kids
Into the gay casino in Nevada's town of Reno
This Kentucky gambler planned to get rich quick

Kentucky gambler who's gonna love your woman in Kentucky
Yeah and who's gonna be the one to give her everything she needs
Kentucky gambler who's gonna raise your children in Kentucky
And who's gonna keep 'em fed and keep them shoes on their feet

There at the Gambler's Paradise Lady Luck was on my side
And this Kentucky gambler played just right
Hey I won at everything I played really thought I had it made
But I should've quit and gone on home that night
But when you love the greenback dollar sorrow's always bound to follow
And Reno's dreams fade into neon amber
And Lady Luck she'll lead you on she'll stay a while and then she's gone
You better go on home Kentucky gambler

But a gambler never seems to stop till he loses all he's got
And with a money hungry fever I played on
I played till I'd lost all I'd won I was right back where I'd started from
Then I started wantin' to go home

Kentucky gambler there ain't nobody waitin' in Kentucky
When I run out somebody else walked in
Kentucky gambler looks like you ain't really very lucky
And it seems to me a gambler loses much more than he wins
Much more than he wins

**********

12.

(# 1 country hit)

I'm A Lonesome Fugitive

Liz Anderson - Casey Anderson

© Four Star Music, BMI

Down every road there's always one more city
I'm on the run the highway is my home

I raised a lot of cane back in my younger days
While mama used to pray my crops would fail
Now I'm a hunted fugitive with just two ways
Outrun the law or spend my life in jail

I'd like to settle down but they won't let me
A fugitive must be a rolling stone
Down every road there's always one more city
I'm on the run the highway is my home
[ instrumental ]
I'm lonely but I can't afford the luxury
Of having one I love to come along
She'd only slow me down and they'd catch up with me
For he who travels fastest goes alone

I'd like to settle down but they won't let me...
I'm on the run the highway is my home

**********

13.

(# 1 country hit)

Things Aren't Funny Anymore

Merle Haggard

© Shade Tree Music, BMI

We used to laugh a lot
We never cried
But things are all different now
Since your sweet love has died
Seems we've lost a way to find
All the good times we've found before
Yeah we used to laugh a lot
Things aren't funny anymore

If I knew how to change your mind
Maybe things could be right again
If I could turn back one page of time
Before love came to an end

I'd know just where to turn
To turn it on once more
Maybe we laughed too soon
Things aren't funny anymore
[ instrumental ]
I'd know just where to turn...

**********

14.

(# 1 country hit)

Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man)

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

Let me tell you about a song that I feel it explains itself
It's called Daddy Frank the Guitar Man

Daddy Frank played the guitar and the french harp
Sister played the ringin' tambourine
And mama couldn't hear our pretty music
But she read our lips and helped the family sing
That little band was all a part of livin'
And our only means of livin' at the time
And it wadn't like no normal family combo
Cause Daddy Frank the guitar man was blind

Frank and Mama counted on each other
Their one and only weakness made 'em strong
Mama did the drivin' for the family
And Frank made a livin' with a song
Home was just a camp along the highway
A pickup bed was where we bedded down
Don't ever once remember goin' hungry
And I remember mama cookin' on the ground

Daddy Frank played the guitar and the french harp...

Don't remember how they got acquainted
I can't recall just how it came to be
There had to be some special help from someone
And blessed be the one who let it be
Fever caused my mama's loss of hearing
Daddy Frank was born without his sight
And mama needed someone she could lean on
And I believe the guitar man was right

Daddy Frank played the guitar and the french harp...

**********

15.

I Forget You Every Day

Merle Haggard

© Shade Tree Music, BMI

Mem'ry is a gift a man can't live without
And at times we can't control the things we think about
So sometimes I still remember you in every way
But for a little while I forget you every day

Seems like I forget you just in time
Cause it's always just before I lose my mind
I wake up every morning hurtin' the same old way
But for a little while I forget you every day
[ instrumental ]
Seems like I forget you every day
And it's always just before I lose my mind
I wake up every morning hurtin' the same old way
But for a little while I forget you every day

**********

16.

(# 1 country hit)

Workin' Man Blues

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

It's a big job just gettin' by with nine kids and a wife
But I've been a workin' man dang near all my life
And I'll keep on workin' long as my two hands are fit to use
I'll drink my beer in a tavern
Sing a little bit of these workin' man blues

I'll keep my nose on the grindstone work hard everyday
I might get a little tired on the weekend after I draw my pay
I'll go back workin' come Monday morning I'm right back with the crew
I'll drink a little beer that evening
Sing a little bit of these workin' man blues

Sometimes I think about leaving do a little bummin' around
I wanna throw my bills out the window catch a train to another town
I'll go back workin' gotta buy my kids a brand new pair of shoes
I'll drink a little beer in the tavern
Cry a little bit of these workin' man blues

Here comes that workin' man
[ instrumental ]
Well hey hey the workin' man workin' man like me
I ain't never been on welfare and that's one place I won't be
And I'll be workin' long as my two hands are fit to use
I'll drink my beer in the tavern
Sing a little bit of these workin' man blues
This song's for the workin' man

**********

17.

Love And Honor

Merle Haggard

© Shade Tree Music, BMI

Love and honor a promise to obey
Sacred vows that we both made yesterday
But when someone tempted you you eased across the line
And I'll bet love and honor never crossed your mind

You're the woman who once gave me her hand
And I'm the fool who's tryin' hard to understand
Why when someone tempted you you were so inclined
And I'll bet love and honor never crossed your mind

Love and honor never crossed your mind
And love and honor is something hard to find
When someone tempted you you eased across the line
And I'll bet love and honor never crossed your mind
[ instrumental ]
Love and honor never crossed your mind...

**********

18.

(# 1 country hit)

Branded Man

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
But they won't let my secret go untold
I paid the debt I owed 'em but they're still not satisfied
Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

When they let me out of prison I held my head up high
Determined I would rise above the shame
But no matter where I'm living a black mark follows me
I'm branded with a number on my name

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am...
[ instrumental ]
If I live to be a hundred I guess I'll never clear my name
Cause everybody knows I've been in jail
No matter where I'm living I got to tell 'em where I been
Or they'll send me back to prison if I fail

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am...
Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

**********

19.

(# 2 country hit)
(# 119 pop hit)

Someday We'll Look Back

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

Someday when our dream world finds us and these hard times are gone
We'll laugh and count our blessings in a mansion all our own
If we both pull together tomorrow's sure to come
Someday we'll look back and say it was fun

We live on love and pennies and the day dream out of sight
And I'm amazed the way you smile when things don't turn out right
We climb each hill together each step one by one
And someday we'll look back and say it was fun

Someday when our dream world finds us and these hard times are gone...
And someday we'll look back and say it was fun

**********

20.

(# 1 country hit)

I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am

Merle Haggard

© Blue Book Music, BMI

Things I learned in hobo jungle
Were things they never taught me in a class room
Like where to find a hand out
While bummin' through Chicago in the afternoon
Hey I'm not braggin' or complainin' I'm just talkin' to myself man to man
This ol' mental fat I'm chewin' didn't take a lotta doin'
But I take a lot of pride in what I am

I guess I grew up a loner
I don't remember ever havin' any folks around
But I keep thumbin' through the phonebooks
And looking for my daddy's name in every town
And I meet lots of friendly people but I'll always wind up leavin' on the lam
Hey where I've been or where I'm goin' didn't take a lotta knowin'
But I take a lot of pride in what I am

I never travel in a hurry
Because I got nobody waitin' for me anywhere
Home is anywhere I'm livin'
If it's sleepin' on some vacant bench in City Square
Or if I'm workin' on some road gang or just livin' off the fat of our great land
I never been nobody's idol but at least I got a title
And I take a lot of pride in what I am

I never been nobody's idol but at least I got a title
And I take a lot of pride in what I am
I take a lot of pride in what I am
I take a lot of pride in what I am

**********