Whose gonna fill their shoes? It was a fantastic song. Now, it still is a fantastic song, but it also poses a serious question. Merle as well as all the other old timers are really thinning out and there really isn't much really good talent around these days!!!!!!!
When my father was in hospital dying of skin cancer 8 yrs ago, I visited and entertained him with music, playing my guitar. This was the last song I played one visit. Three days later he passed away. Still brings tears, the irony of it.
I often wonder where Merle must have thought how his life was going to end up as a criminal minded 21 year old and in prison. Just how lucky he was that he met up with Johnny Cash in one of his San Quinton prison concerts and was offered a country music career help when he was released. Johnny had the decency to want to help a battler and Merle had the talent to become a legend, oh how different things could have been and Merle knows it. Merle worshipped the ground Johnny Cash walked on and for good reason. What would all we country music fans have done without Merle Haggard in our lives, a true country artist, a brilliant songwriter and singer who would leave all todays country artists for dead. They Just don't make country music like they used to
Happy Birthday, Mr. Haggard - well, I wished him that this morning, and sadly, it was full circle. RIP Merle Haggard. Legendary - and the real country, not that New Country crap.
My dad's last post on FB was " I can't wait to get to heaven and sit back and listen to Roy, Merle , and Elvis sing sweet music." He died unexpectedly a week later. Miss ya dad and hope you are enjoying your concert
The warden led a prisoner down the hallway to his doom
And I stood up to say good-bye 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 memories 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 'cross 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 once before you move along?"
Won't you sing me back home, with the song I used to hear
Make my old memories come alive
Take me away and turn back the years
Sing me back home before I die
Sing me back home before I die
