The Fightin' Side of Me

Album: The Fightin' Side of Me (1970)
Charted: 92
Play Video
  • I hear people talkin' bad,
    About the way we have to live here in this country,
    Harpin' on the wars we fight,
    And gripin' 'bout the way things oughta be.
    And I don't mind 'em switchin' sides,
    And standin' up for things they believe in.
    When they're runnin' down my country, man,
    They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

    [Chorus]
    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 squirrelly guy,
    Who claims, he just don't believe in fightin'.
    And 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.

    [Chorus: x2] Writer/s: MERLE HAGGARD
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 8th 1970, "The Fightin' Side of Me" by Merle Haggard & the Strangers entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #100; it stayed on the chart for three weeks, peaking at #92...
    But on March 8th, 1970 it reached #1 for 3 weeks on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart; and it was his ninth of thirty-eight #1 records on the Hot Country Singles chart...
    Merle Ronald Haggard will celebrate his 78th birthday in just under two months on April 6th {2015}.
  • Islam from IllinoisMuch like Haggard's "Okie from Muskogee" this song is satire. It is poking fun at the jingoistic, "patriotic" person who thinks opposition to war amounts to treason.
  • Thomas from Somerville, AlI have personaly met Mr. Haggard and mixed sound at a llive performance for him and his band. I can tell you from personal experience, you would rather be on his fightin' side than against it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?