About the song
“The Roots of My Raising” is a song written by Tommy Collins and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard. It was released in January 1976 as the first single and title track from the album of the same name. The song topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for one week and spent a total of ten weeks on the chart.
The song is a reflective ballad about Haggard’s upbringing and the values that he was instilled with. He sings about his parents, his childhood home, and the lessons that he learned growing up in a working-class family. The song is a celebration of Haggard’s roots and the people who shaped him into the man he is.
“The Roots of My Raising” is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It is a personal and moving song that resonates with listeners of all ages. The song is a reminder of the importance of family, community, and hard work. It is a song that will continue to be cherished for generations to come.
Merle Haggard was one of the most iconic and influential country music singers of all time. He was known for his distinctive voice, his outlaw image, and his songwriting skills. Haggard wrote many of his own songs, including “The Roots of My Raising”. His songs were often autobiographical, and they reflected his own experiences and values.
Haggard was born in Oildale, California, in 1937. He grew up in a poor family, and he began working at a young age. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade and worked a variety of jobs, including as a migrant worker and a truck driver.
Haggard began his music career in the early 1960s. He signed with Capitol Records in 1965, and he released his first album, Strangers, in 1966. His first single, “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive,” was a Top 10 hit.
Haggard went on to release a string of hit singles and albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Some of his most famous songs include “Mama Tried,” “Okie from Muskogee,” and “Fightin’ Side of Me.” He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.
“The Roots of My Raising” is one of Merle Haggard’s most personal and moving songs. It is a song about his upbringing and the values that he was instilled with. The song is a celebration of Haggard’s roots and the people who shaped him into the man he is. It is a classic country song that has stood the test of time and will continue to be cherished for generations to come.
Video
Lyrics
“The Roots Of My Raising”
I left the four lane highway took a blacktop seven miles
Down by the old country school I went to as a child
Two miles down a gravel road I could see the proud old home
A tribute to a way of life that’s almost come and gone.The roots of my raising run deep
I come back for the strength that I need
And hope comes no matter how far down
I sink the roots of my raising run deep.I pulled into the driveway Lord it sure was good to be there
And through the open door I could see that dad was asleep in his favorite chair
In his hand was a picture of mom and I remembered how close they were
So I just turned away I didn’t want to wake him spoil his dreams of her.A christian Mom who had the strength for life the way she did
Then to pull that apron off and do the Charleston for us kids
Dad a quiet man who’s gentle voice was seldom heard
Who could borrow money at the bank simply on his word.The roots of my raisin’ run deep
I come back for the strength that I need
And hope comes no matter how far down
I sink the roots of my raising run deep.The roots of my raisin’ run deep…