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Merle Haggard

The Way It Was In '51

(# 30 top country album)

Capitol SW-11839
Sep / 1978

Produced by Ken nelson, Fuzzy Owen, George Richey

Cover image of The Way It Was In '51

Roy Nichols, Chip Young, Bobby Thompson, Bobby Wayne, Jody Payne, Tommy Collins - guitar
Norman Hamlet - steel
Dennis Hromek, Howard Lowe, Leon Copeland, Roy Huskey - bass
Biff Adam, Eddie Burris - drums
Johnny Gimble - fiddle
Glenn D. Hardin, Hargus Pig Robbins, Jerry Smith, George French - piano
Bonnie Owens - vocals
Recorded:
1967-1975, Capitol Studio, Hollywood

1.

(# 82 country hit)

Way It Was In '51

Merle Haggard

© Shade Tree Music, BMI

66 was still a narrow two lane highway
Harry Truman was the man who ran the show
The bad Korean war was just beginning
And I was just three years too young to go

Country music hadn't gone to New York City yet
And the service man was proud of what he'd done
And Hank and Lefty crowded every jukebox
That's the way it was in '51

There's so much about the good ol' days I'd love to tell
And there's folks around I know still remember well
Slow dancing close together when a ballad played
Cause a thing called rock and roll was yet to come
It was a big year for a drive-in restaurant carhop
That's the way it was in '51
[ instrumental ]
There's so much about the good ol' days...

Yeah Hank and Lefty crowded every jukebox Lord Lord
That's the way it was in '51

**********

2.

Moanin' The Blues

Hank Williams

© Fred Rose Music, BMI

When my baby moved out and the blues moved in
There wadn't nothin' I could do
But mosey around with my head in my hands
Yellin' what am I comin' to
And I just keep moanin' moanin' the blues

Well I wrote a nice long letter sayin' mama please come home
Your daddy is lonesome and all I do is moan

I've been lovin' that gal for so doggone long
I can't afford to lose her now
I thought I was right but I must have been wrong
Because my head is startin' to bow
And I just keep moanin' moanin' the blues

Glenn D
[ instrumental ]
Well baby baby baby honey baby please come home
Your daddy is lonesome and all I do is moan

I've been lovin' that gal for so doggone long...

**********

3.

My Heart Would Know

Hank Williams

© Fred Rose Music, BMI

I could say it's over now that I was glad to see you go
And I could tell the world that I don't love you
My lips could tell a lie but my heart would know

I could give you all the blame but I'm sure the truth would show
And I could tell my friends I found a new love
My lips could tell a lie but my heart would know

I can't fool my crying heart cause it knows I need you so
I could lie about the way I'm feelin'
My lips could tell a lie but my heart would know
[ instrumental ]
And I could lie about the way I'm feelin'
My lips could tell a lie but my heart would know

**********

4.

Lovesick Blues

Irving Mills - Cliff Friend

© Mills Music, ASCAP

I got a feelin' called the blues oh Lord since my baby said goodbye
Oh I don't know what I'll do all I do is sit and cry oh Lord
That last long day she said goodbye well Lord I thought I would cry
She'll do me she'll do you she's got that kinda lovin'
Lord I love to hear her when she calls me sweet daddy
Such a beautiful dream I hate to think it all over I've lost my heart it seems
I've grown so used to you somehow well I'm nobody's sugar daddy now
And I'm lonesome I've got the lovesick blues

Well I'm in love I'm in love with a beautiful gal that's what's the matter with me
I'm in love I'm in love with a beautiful gal but she don't care about me
Lord I tried and I tried to keep her satisfied but she just wouldn't stay
So now that she is leavin' this is all that I can say

I got a feelin' called the blues oh Lord since my baby said goodbye...

**********

5.

I Saw The Light

Hank Williams

© Fred Rose Music, BMI

There was a song that Tex Ritter recorded called Hillbilly Heaven
And I was realistically thinkin' about the situation and how great it must be for those great entertainers and musicians who've passed on and have nothin' else to do but for the rest of eternity but uh play for the Lord
And I feel a lot of them were called away at an early stage in their careers just because the Lord wanted to book 'em
And if this idea is true I'm sure that Hank Williams openin' song must've been I Saw The Light

I wandered so aimless life filled with sin
I wouldn't let my dear Saviour in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord I saw the light

I saw the light I saw the light
No more darkness no more night
Now I'm so happy no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light

Just like a blind man I wandered alone
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like a blind man God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light

I saw the light I saw the light...
[ instrumental ]
I was a fool to wander and stray
Straight is the gate and narrow the way
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
Praise the Lord I saw the light

I saw the light I saw the light...

**********

6.

Mom And Dad's Waltz

Lefty Frizzell

© Hill And Range Songs, BMI

I'd walk for miles cry or smile for my mama and daddy
I love them I want them to know
How I feel my love is real for my mama and daddy
I want them to know I love them so

In my heart the joy tears start cause I'm happy
And I pray every day for mom and pappy and each night
I'd walk for miles cry or smile for my mama and daddy
I want them to know I love them so
[ instrumental ]
I'd fight in wars do all the chores for my mama and daddy
I want them to live on till they're called
I'd work and slave and never rave to my mama and daddy
Because I know I owe them my all

In my heart the joy tears start cause I'm happy...
I love them so

**********

7.

It Meant Goodbye To Me (When She Said Hello To Him)

Lefty Frizzell - Abe Mulkey

© Peer Int, BMI

Hmm hmm I made a big mistake when I introduced her to my friend
And gave him a chance to dance with her
As I watched them in the crowd I could hear my heart beat loud
Cause it meant goodbye to me when she said hello to him

Hmm hmm she just held on to his hand when it was break time for the band
And it was plain to see that I'd lost out
So I slipped away to cry felt so low I could die
Cause it meant goodbye to me when she said hello to him

Hmm hmm is there anywhere to go where a broken heart won't show
Everyone must know what's wrong with me
They can tell by my ways I go round lost in a daze
Cause it meant goodbye to me when she said hello to him hmm hmm

**********

8.

I'm An Old Old Man (Tryin' To Live While I Can)

Lefty Frizzell

© Peer Int, BMI

Said an old man to a good lookin' girl
Well I've been around this big wide world
That home on the hill well honey that's mine
I've got the money if you've got the time

Well I'm not too old to cut the mustard anymore
I can stlll get around like I did before
So you can come along with me my sweet sweet hon
I'm an old man lookin' for fun

Yeah what I can do now most young men can't
There's not a town that this boy can't paint
I can make all the night clubs any old time
I may be a little old but I'm doin' all right
[ instrumental ]
Well I'm not too old to cut the mustard anymore
I can stlll get around like I did before
So come along with me my sweet sweet hon
I'm an old old man searchin' for fun

Don't take me wrong I just want have fun
Have someone along to help me spend my mon
Cause you don't live but once so please understand
That I'm an old old man tryin' to live while I can

**********

9.

I Never Go Around Mirrors

Lefty Frizzell - Sanger D. Shafer

© Blue Crest Music, BMI

I can't 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've got a heartache to hide
[ instrumental ]
I never go around mirrors...
And it tears me up to see a grown man cry

**********

10.

Goodbye Lefty

Merle Haggard

© Shade Tree Music, BMI

I'd love to hear a jukebox play
I love you a thousand ways
Or if you've got the money I've got the time
I'd walk a mile for mom and dad
And the good times that we had
Look what thoughts will do when you think old pal of mine

But the old old man is gone
There'll be no more Lefty's songs
How much he meant to me nobody knows
The long black veil that Alice wore
Like words he sang some years before
She loved him too that's the way love goes
[ instrumental ]
But the old old man is gone...

**********



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