Okie From Muskogee

Album: Okie From Muskogee (1969)
Charted: 41
Play Video
  • We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee
    We don't take our trips on LSD
    We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street
    'Cause we like livin' right, and bein' free

    We don't make a party out of lovin'
    But 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

    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
    Beads and Roman sandals won't be seen
    And football's still the roughest thing on campus
    And the kids here still respect the college dean

    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

    And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
    In Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA Writer/s: Merle Haggard, Roy Burris
    Publisher: O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 13

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 26th 1969, "Okie from Muskogee" by Merle Haggard & the Strangers entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #91; and on December 28th, 1969 it peaked at #41 {for 1 week} and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on November 9th, 1969 it reached #1 {for 4 weeks} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart; it was the third of four consecutive #1 records, started with "Hungry Eyes, "Workin' Man Blues”, this one, and finally "The Fightin' Side of Me"...
    Between 1963 and 1999 he had eighty-one records make Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart; sixty-seven of them made the Top 10 with an amazing thirty-seven reaching #1...
    He just missed having forty-five #1s when he eight of his records peaked at #2...
    Merle Ronald Haggard will celebrate his 78th birthday come next April 6th {2015}.
  • Terry from Valliant, OkTo understand this song, you really had to have been there. The country was very polarized at that time, and most of it was due to Vietnam. Patriotism was still a big thing. The hippie movement flew in the face of "law abiding, patriotic citizens", especially the WASPs. At the time I was very anti-hippie. I totally disagreed with their war protests. Now I look back on it and agree, we had no business being in Vietnam. Too many American soldiers died for absolutely nothing. That was the fault of the politicians, not the soldiers. The only thing I still disagree with, is the hippie treatment of soldiers returning home from their tours. Spitting on soldiers and calling them baby killers was just as wrong as the war was. If you can read this comment thank a teacher. Because your reading it in English, thank a soldier!
  • Dean from Hoover, AlThis song always reminds me of my Dad. He LOVES this song! (And so do I!)
  • Rhonda from Wagoner, OkI was born in Muskogee, Ok. so yeah, I'm an Okie from Muskogee, I sowed my "wild oats" tore it up and rebuilt it again. There are always people who criticize, poke fun at, or just don't get it. That's ok, we live in a country that granted us the right to voice our opinions and the freedom fought very hard for every day by many military people (Men and Women) for that very right. So yeah, I agree with "the Hagg" about our right to livin' free. But it does cost, remember that. It's what he meant with this paticular song. Oh I would also remember we all do live in "Glass House's " no finger pointing.
  • Julian from Oakland, ArThe song is definitely tongue in cheek.
  • Henry O. Godwinn from Wheeling, WvI find this song interesting. Mostly because he mentions white lightning (moonshine) which is against the law. So it's kinda ironic in what Haggard says he doesn't do. I think the song is a classic and probably meant to be tongue in cheek
  • Mark from Byrdstown, TnHaggard didnt write this song to make fun of anybody.He says at his concerts he wrote it as a salute to his dad who was an Okie and moved the family to California .Haggard grew up around Bakersfield.Im not sure of where the chart rankings come from because this song stayed at the top of the charts for several weeks after it was released.It is considered one of the greatest country songs ever written.


    Ive seen Haggard in concert many times and I take him at his word when he says this song was wrote to honor his dad.Either believe Merle or myth,its up to you.
  • Bob from Roseville, CoActually the Youngblood's song is refering to Bolinis Ca,where to this day the town still has the 66 Haight feeling.The town folk's take the city sign down now and then to keep out strangers.

    But if you find it,they treat you with the feel of love and peace.
  • Bob from Canyon, CaA great reply song to this was "Hippie From Olema" by the Youngbloods... The final lines read: And I?m proud to be a hippie from Olema/
    Where we?re friendly to the squares and all the straights/We still take in strangers if they?re Haggard/In Olema, California, planet earth. Olema is a real town in rural Marin County, Northern California.
  • Mark from Lancaster, OhI heard an interview with Merle Haggard not long ago. He says that in the context of the passing years he has reconsidered the politics that went into this song and those which have come to be associated with it, and no longer agrees with them.
  • Kk Ryder from Little Farm In Ill. & Seattle, WaI always loved the original lyrics but I sure did find the humor in the lyrics...I'm proud to be an A__ H___ from El Paso! now that was cute!
    kk ryder, seattle Wa.
  • Frank from Westminster, ScI would smile when this song came on the radio, because I actually knew a guy (in his forties, and a disgraced local politician) in Muskogee at the time. He sold weed, porn, and most anything else you wanted. The general population of the area was very straight and patriotic. Regardless of Merle Haggard's intentions when writing this, it was taken at its face value by most people.
  • Ken from Louisville, KyWhen this song became a country hit, CBS News did a story about the town's reaction. Some local teenagers said the song was wrong, there actually WAS marijuana smoking in Muskogee.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.

Famous Singers' First Films

Famous Singers' First FilmsSong Writing

A look at the good (Diana Ross, Eminem), the bad (Madonna, Bob Dylan) and the peculiar (David Bowie, Michael Jackson) film debuts of superstar singers.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?