Okie from Muskogee....43 years later

I was surprised to learn recently that Merle Haggard was still alive and touring at age 75.  Well, I suppose my surprise was at the first part because ginned up tribute bands notwithstanding, touring after you are dead is not possible.

Given his hard living life style-and has there ever been a performer more aptly named?-I rather suspect Mr. Haggard himself is almost as surprised.

It got me to thinking about his signature song "Okie from Muskogee" and how it has held up over the years.  It was recorded in 1969, right after Merle had gotten out of prison.  Supposedly it was at least partly satire, but it seemed to resonate with average Americans concerned that their country was in moral decline.  Not that we have any such worries in 2012...

With my contemporary comments, here is "Okie from Muskogee", 41 years later:



 We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee;
We don't take our trips on LSD

(this is half true.  I see plenty of drug screens positive for THC in the ER, but can't recall the last time LSD has turned up)
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street;
We like livin' right, and bein' free.

(true.  the antimiltary spirit of 1969 has been replaced by near universal admiration)

I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all

(boring people still enjoying life, check.  flag at courthouse, check.  alcohol as main mood altering substance, check but see also above.)

We don't make a party out of lovin';
We like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo;
We don't let our hair grow long and shaggy,
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do.

(mixed picture.  San Fran hipsters now likely have short hair and a soul patch.  regular folks might have a "mullet".  nobody has used the term "pitching woo" since 1969, but the sentiments still hold true.)

And I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee,
A place where even squares can have a ball.
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all.

Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear;

(yep)
Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen.

(well, not very often)
Football's still the roughest thing on campus,
And the kids here still respect the college dean.

(half true.  College Football is more violent and tragically tolerant of horrific behaviour.  kids may not respect the college dean these days, but ironically it is likely because he or she may well be significantly to the left, not to the right of their students politically!)

We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse,
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA.

So Merle got things mostly right, and it is comforting to know that for all the changes since then the America of my younger days is still alive and kicking despite much hardship and troubles.

As is Mr. Haggard.