I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am

Album: The Fightin' Side Of Me (1970)
Play Video
  • Things I learned in a hobo jungle
    Were things they never taught me in a class room
    Like where to find a hand out
    While bummin' through Chicago in the afternoon

    Hey, I'm not braggin' or complainin'
    I'm just talkin' to myself man-to-man
    This ol' mental fat I'm chewin' didn't take a lotta doin'
    But I take a lot of pride in what I am

    I guess I grew up a loner
    I don't remember ever havin' any folks around
    But I keep thumbin' through the phonebooks
    And looking for my daddy's name in every town

    And I meet lots of friendly people
    But I'll always wind up leavin' on the lam
    Hey, where I've been or where I'm goin'
    Didn't take a lotta knowin'
    But I take a lot of pride in what I am

    I never travel in a hurry
    Because I got nobody waitin' for me anywhere
    Home is anywhere I'm livin'
    If it's sleepin' on some vacant bench in City Square

    Or if I'm workin' on some road gang
    Or just livin' off the fat of our great land
    I never been nobody's idol but at least I got a title
    And I take a lot of pride in what I am

    I never been nobody's idol but at least I got a title
    And I take a lot of pride in what I am

    I take a lot of pride in what I am
    I take a lot of pride in what I am Writer/s: MERLE HAGGARD
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Grandpopdk from Odense, DenmarkCan you get any closer to "Gentle on my mind" than this????
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.