Merle Haggard's Final Recording 'Kern River Blues' Releases Today
In an effort to thank fans and family for their prayers over Merle Haggard's passing, the family of the former veteran country singer has released a band new unreleased song today. "Kern River Blues" was recorded just before Haggard's passing. The song speaks about bidding farewell to Bakersfield when Haggard left the city back in the 70s. However, the lyrics (see below) also function as a fitting farewell by Haggard.
Penned by Haggard, "Kern River Blues" features Haggard's son Ben on guitar. The recording will premiere on Willie Nelson's SiriusXM's Willie's Roadhouse channel, before being made available to download on merlehaggard.com and iTunes.
Vocals: Merle Haggard
Electric Guitar: Ben Haggard
Acoustic Guitar: Scott Joss
Bass: Doug Colosio
Steel Guitar: Norman D. "Norm" Hamlet
Drums: Jimmy Christie
Horns: Renato Caranto
Mastering: Benny Quinn
Cover Design: William Chiaravalle
Cover Image: Myriam Santos
Lyrics:
I'm leavin' town tomorrow
Get my breakfast in the sky
Well, I'm leavin' in the early morning
Eat my breakfast in the sky
Be a donut on a paper
Drink my coffee on the fly
I'm flying out on a jet plane
Gonna leave this town behind
I'm flying out on a jet plane
Gonna leave this town behind
They've done moved the city limits
Out by the county line
Put my head up to the window
Watch the city fade away
Put my head close to the window
Watch Oildale fade away
The blues back in the '30s
Just like the blues today
There used to be a river here
Runnin' deep and wide
Well, they used to have Kern River
Runnin' deep and wide
Then somebody stole the water
Another politician lied
When you closed down all the honky tonks
The city died at night
When you closed down all the honky tonks
The city died at night
When it hurt somebody's feelings
Well, a wrong ain't never right
Well, I'm leaving town forever
Kiss an old boxcar goodbye
Well, I'm leaving town forever
Kiss an old boxcar goodbye
I dug my blues down in the river
But the old Kern River is dry
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