One month ago today (April 6th, 2016), country music lost one of the best performers it has ever seen. Merle Haggard passed away peacefully on his 79th birthday, leaving behind thousands of beloved fans. Haggard was known as a black hat rebel, who often sang for and supported the “workin’ man” and the underdog. It doesn’t matter if you like him or not. Shoot, it doesn't matter if you’ve even heard of him or not. The Hag has left behind a few valuable life lessons through his songs that we can all live by:
Going through a breakup? "Swinging Doors" gives you all the necessary materials to move on.
“And I've got swinging doors a jukebox and a barstool
And my new home has got a flashing neon sign
Stop by and see me anytime you want to
Cause I'm always here at home till closing time.”
Found someone you want to be with forever? “The Sunny Side of My Life” teaches us to appreciate true love.
“Oh, the sunny side of my life is the side you're living on
Grey skies never come when I'm with you
Good times hang around only when you're here at home
The sunny side of my life is here with you.”
And once we find it, “Someday We’ll Look Back” reminds us to never let that love go no matter how hard life gets.
“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.”
But not before teaching us that every "Poncho needs a Lefty," like every person needs a best friend.
“The poets tell how Poncho fell, and Lefty's living in a cheap hotel
The desert's quiet and Cleveland's cold, so the story ends we're told
Poncho needs your prayers, it's true, but save a few for Lefty, too…”
So don’t forget to always be yourself no matter who you are, and to always take pride in that.
“I never been nobody's idol, But at least I got a title,
And I take alot of pride in what I am.”
Oh, and if you ever find yourself having to run from the law, don’t forget the do’s and don’ts of a "Lonesome Fugitive."
“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”
