Merle Haggard is one of the very few country and western artists whose music I truly enjoy. I remember going with my mother and father to see him perform at the Saddle Rack in San Jose years ago. They both loved his music and it was such a treat to go see him perform there with them. As I look at them now, slower and dimmed by age, that memory is all the more sweet. Mom all dressed up and dad in his finest hat and boots, sat there in that rowdy crowd and listened to Merle perform. It really was special.
I remember when he came out with this song, the poignancy and desperation in the song spoke so passionately to me. It was also timely in that we wound up moving to California a few years later because things had gotten hard in Texas. That may also be why my parents liked Merle so much. He was Everyman to them.
I heard this rendition of one of Merle’s hits recently and found myself coming back to it quite a bit. Realized it needed to be shared. Coming up to the end of the month and the end of the year and I’m struggling to press on to the end. This has been a hard year. I’m tired. Being sick doesn’t help.
I found this version on Over The Rhine’s latest Christmas album. It’s a bit slower than Merle’s, but I like it.
I’m including Merle’s as well, for your listening pleasure. You’re welcome.
All Things Elda 