Bush has lost Merle Haggard

[Gman]

The man that sang "The Fightin' Side Of Me" (I've still got the original vinyl album that belonged to my mom) about what he thought of Viet Nam War protestors has wrote a song telling what's wrong with this country. Merle even calls for us to get out of Iraq. And it's all on the front page of his website at MerleHaggard.com.

Wait a few minutes for the video to load after you open the merlehaggard.com link. It takes a few minutes. Must be a big file.

Listen to the lyrics:
"Let's liberate these United States, we're the ones that need it the most..."
"Let's get out of Iraq, get back on the track and rebuild America first."

If Bush has lost Merle, he's lost everything.

Thanks to DU'er BobRossi who posted the original thread here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2588479&mesg_id=2588685

Lurkers from FR will pick up on this shortly. Watch their heads explode and attack him for doing time 40 years ago.

[gordianot]

1. This happened sometime ago.

Merle does not need his parole board anymore

[saltpoint]

2. When Merle's had enough, Merle's had enough.

I agree. If Junior's lost Mr. Haggard, he's lost the whole show.

[Old and In the Way]

3. He's a long way from "Okie from Muskokie"

Yeah, this will peal yet a few more people away from the base.

[blitzen]

4. Merle has always had a side of him that we would call "left": witness this

song, "Irma Jackson," from the 60s--about an interracial love and the racism of American society...(there's a bunch of other "progressive" Hag songs from the 60s and 70s--this is just an example. And there are other songs that we would call "right-wing"--he is an iconoclast.)


Irma Jackson, by Merle haggard

I'd love to shout my feelin's from a mountain high
Tell the world I love her and I will till I die
There's no way the world will understand that love is colour blind
That's why Irma Jackson can't be mine

I remember when no one cared about us bein' friends
We were only children and it really didn't matter then
But we grew up too quickly in a world that draws a line
Where they say Irma Jackson can't be mine

If my lovin' Irma Jackson is a sin
Then I don't understand this crazy world we're livin' in
There's a muddy wall between us standin' high
But I'll love Irma Jackson till I die

She tells me she's decided that she'll go away
And I guess it's right but she alone should have the final say
But in spite of her decision forcin' us to say goodbye
I'll still love Irma Jackson till I die

If my lovin' Irma Jackson is a sin
Then I don't understand this crazy world we're livin' in
It's a muddy wall between us standin' high
But I'll love Irma Jackson till I die

[smoochpooch]

5. Wasn't that Merle Haggard in Tanner '88?

performing at a Jack Tanner Rally?

[Gman]

7. Wow, I don't remember that

and I followed the Jack Tanner seriew religiously. I wanted to write Tanner in when I voted in the primaries!

[smoochpooch]

12. My bad, it was Waylon Jennings

had to dig out the DVD.

[blitzen]

6. Merle has been touring with Dylan!

check this out:

http://www.merlehaggard.com/tour-concert-booking-info.html

[wicket]

8. I don't think he ever had Merle

Merle is a much different person than he was 30 years ago.

[hopein08]

9. But what about Merle's part of this Gretchen Wilson song?

Politically Uncorrect

"I'm for the lone man
On the totem pole
And I'm for the underdog
God Bless his soul
And I'm for the guys
Still pulling third shift
And the single mom raisin her kids

And I'm for the preachers
Who stay on their knees
And I'm for the sinner
Who finally believes
And I'm for the farmer
With dirt on his hands
And the soldiers who fight for this land

And I'm for the bible
And I'm for the flag
And I'm for the workin man
I'm just one of many
Can't get no respect
Politically uncorrect

I guess my opinion is all out of style
Oh but don't get me started cuz I can get wild
And I'll make a fight for our forefather's plan
(that's right)
And the world already knows where I stand

And I'm for the bible
And I'm for the flag
And I'm for the workin man
I'm just one of many
Can't get no respect
Politically uncorrect

Nothin wrong with the bible
Nothin wrong with the flag
Nothin wrong with the workin man
We're just some of many
Can't get no respect (none)
Politically uncorrect
Politically uncorrect"

http://www.google.com/musics?lid=2gLmkfBxeWB&aid=IXwfNIfRfL&sid=gUyqK6XXAuB

on edit: added song title

[jackster]

10. having followed Merle for years upon years and

I can see how both "statements" jive - especially for the (as he calls them) - workin' man. Many workin' men I know are also against the war, but are still very religious redneck x-tians who're tired of being lied to!

[MissMarple]

11. Let's put America first. A great sentiment.

I love that song. I first heard it on CMT.