About The Song
Coming at a time when the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution and rock ‘n’ roll fiercely divided generations, Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee” and “The Fightin’ Side of Me” were both a blessing and a curse. Haggard always claimed that he never intended “Okie” to be taken as strongly as it was. He was proud of the song’s success of course, and wasn’t saying that he was in disagreement with its lyrics, but Merle believed those two songs actually hurt his career! At the time he released them, there was such a strong national movement in the opposite direction that it alienated Haggard from many people who might have been fans of his under different circumstances.
“The Fightin’ Side of Me” was worded particularly strongly. In the song, Haggard called the nation’s pacifists “squirrely” and advised the naysayers of America: “If you don’t love it, leave it.” Protest marches began turning up frequently outside the gates of his concerts by groups opposing the Vietnam War.
Merle reflected that lots of folks misinterpreted “The Fightin’ Side of Me,” although he strongly believed in the protesters’ freedom to stand up and make their opinions known. Haggard insisted that this was what he himself was doing with the song, but he went somewhat farther by pointing out and attacking anything which might destroy democracy and our American way of life.
Even if the liberal element of society disapproved, enough of the right wing supported “The Fightin’ Side of Me” to keep it at #1 for three weeks on Billboard’s “Hot Country Singles” chart beginning March 14, 1970. One month later, the Academy of Country Music also supported the Hag, presenting him with five “Hat” awards, including “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Best Band” (awarded to “The Strangers”). Merle also received a special request from Alabama governor George Wallace. Apparently a country music fan, Wallace asked Haggard to campaign for his re-election. Merle declined.
Video
Lyrics
I hear people talkin’ bad about the way we have to live here in this country
Harpin’ on the wars we fight, an’ gripin’ ’bout the way things oughta be
An’ I don’t mind ’em switchin’ sides, an’ standin’ up for things they believe in
When they’re runnin’ down my country, man
They’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me
Yeah, walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me
Runnin’ down a way of life our fightin’ men have fought and died to keep
If you don’t love it, leave it
Let this song I’m singin’ be a warnin’
When you’re runnin’ down my country, man
You’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me
I read about some squirrely guy who claims he just don’t believe in fightin’
An’ I wonder just how long the rest of us can count on bein’ free
They love our milk an’ honey, but they preach about some other way of livin’
When they’re runnin’ down my country, hoss
They’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me
Yeah, walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me
Runnin’ down a way of life our fightin’ men have fought and died to keep
If you don’t love it, leave it
Let this song I’m singin’ be a warnin’
When you’re runnin’ down my country, man
You’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me
Yeah, walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me
Runnin’ down a way of life our fightin’ men have fought and died to keep
If you don’t love it, leave it
Let this song I’m singin’ be a warnin’
When you’re runnin’ down my country, man
You’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me
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