Merle Haggard – The Fightin Side Of Me

“The Fightin’ Side of Me” is a song written and performed by American country music artist Merle Haggard. It was released in December 1969 as the first single and title track from the album The Fightin’ Side of Me. The song became one of the most famous of his career.

In reference to his own 2002 patriot song, “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” Toby Keith once called this song “the original Angry American song.”

Like its predecessor “Okie from Muskogee,” “The Fightin’ Side of Me” immediately broke in popularity when released in January 1970. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart, where it remained for three weeks. It also charted in the lower regions of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In addition to the studio version of the song, a live version of “The Fightin’ Side of Me” was issued as part of Haggard’s live album of the same name.

From the album The Fightin’ Side of Me
B-side “Every Fool Has a Rainbow”
Released January 26, 1970
Recorded December 23, 1969 (studio version)
Genre Country
Length 2:52 (studio version)
3:11 (live version)
Label Capitol 2719
Songwriter(s) Merle Haggard
Producer(s) Ken Nelson

Merle Haggard – The Fightin Side Of Me 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 the 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’.
If 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 the 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’.
If 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 the 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’.
If you’re runnin’ down my country, man,
You’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.