Merle Haggard Final Song “Kern River Blues” Is Released
Merle Haggard left behind one of the most accomplished legacies in the history of country music when he passed away on April 6th. And he also left behind a treasure trove of recordings that have yet to be heard by the public. According to Merle himself, some 300-400 unreleased songs remain in an archive. But only one of those songs can be the final one he ever wrote and recorded.
As Merle was suffering from complications due to a double pneumonia and was in a hospital recovering, he would pen what would become his final song, “Kern River Blues.” Even though Merle was barely strong enough to sing, he put out the effort to record the song at his “Hag” studio with his full band. The song is being released on Thursday (5/11) after first premiering on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse channel 59 at 4 p.m. Central.
READ: 300 to 400 Unreleased Merle Haggard Songs Remain in an Archive
“Kern River Blues” is about Merle’s memories of leaving Bakersfield, CA in the 70’s The Kern River is the primary landmark that runs through town. It was recorded on February 9th, 2016, and features Merle’s son Ben on electric guitar. “Kern River” is also the name of another famous Merle Haggard song from 1985 that became a Top 10 country hit.
“The family received a tremendous outpouring of love and prayers for Merle from his fans and is forever grateful,” says the Merle Haggard estate. “They were searching for a way of thanking everyone and decided to release this song.”
The song will be available at some point on merehaggard.com and on iTunes. 10% of the sales from “Kern River Blues” will go to homeless charities.
Personnel:
- 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
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
Andrew
May 12, 2016 @ 8:54 am
I’m singing this to the tune of “Honky-Tonk Night Time Man” until I hear it.
Andrew
May 12, 2016 @ 10:42 am
Huh, my avatar didn’t work.
FLYINGBURRITO2486
May 12, 2016 @ 11:51 am
How do you make an avatar?
Andrew
May 12, 2016 @ 12:03 pm
Go to gravatar.com
Country Music Archive Brazil
May 12, 2016 @ 9:16 am
One of the last of a dying breed… The real deal.
JCC
May 12, 2016 @ 10:21 am
I just pre-ordered on Amazon
Harpo
May 12, 2016 @ 5:19 pm
Just heard it on xm radio, very moving.
Scott S.
May 12, 2016 @ 9:25 pm
As a kid who grew up floating in inner tubes down the Kern River, this song brings back many memories. Next to Buck, Merle was an icon in Bakersfield. Appropriate last song.
ShadeGrown
May 13, 2016 @ 8:12 pm
Just bought this. What a gift.
Greg Green
May 16, 2016 @ 3:01 pm
Wow! Just reading the lyrics has an impact.
Deborah Scroggins
June 10, 2016 @ 6:34 pm
Grew up on his music and enjoy all the great country music artists still today!