Branded Man

Album: Branded Man (1967)
Play Video
  • I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
    But they won't let my secret go untold
    I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied
    Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

    When they let me out of prison, I held my head up high
    Determined I would rise above the shame
    But no matter where I'm living, the black mark follows me
    I'm branded with a number on my name

    I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
    But they won't let my secret go untold
    I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied
    Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

    If I live to be a hundred, I guess I'll never clear my name
    'Cause everybody knows I've been in jai
    No matter where I'm living, I've got to tell them where I've been
    Or they'll send me back to prison if I fail

    I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am
    But they won't let my secret go untold
    I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied
    Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

    Now I'm a branded man out in the cold Writer/s: Merle Haggard
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Henry O. Godwinn from Wheeling, WvJohn, don't forget about Garth "I don't know who the hell I am this week" Brooks.
  • John from Mansfield, TxMerle Haggard has always been one of my favorite Country singers(Johnny Cash comes in as my all time fave)and was one of those who truly sings from the heart and soul!!
    It's a shame that Nashville constantly gives cutesy blondes*(*Carrie Underwood)and'Hat Acts*(*Toby Keith;Trace Adkins;etal)instead of real country music!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.