Merle Haggard - Red Bandana Lyrics






We left home when we were barely past eleven-teen
Been back and forth and all around through hell and rain
I've loved you half of your life and I'll keep on loving you
But I can't change in every way you want me too

We spend a lot of time out on the highway
Coming from some town we played along the way
After thirty years of knowing me the way you do
You know I can't change in every way you want me too

But babe that red bandana tied around your auburn hair
You look like you ought to be somebody's wife somewhere
Yeah, you're never gonna be no Bobby McGee but you're trying to
But I can't change in every way you want me too

Every time you leave the stage I know you've had your fill
And I wonder why you grew up and why I never will
Yeah, I'm forty-one today still going on twenty-two
But I can't change and live the way you want me too

That red bandana tied around your auburn hair
You look like you ought to be somebody's wife somewhere
Yeah you're never gonna be no bobby McGee but your trying to
Yeah, but I can't change in every way you want me too
No I can't change and live the way you want me too





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Merle Haggard Red Bandana Comments
  1. C.... B....

    Merl is the best ever

  2. T.... G....

    This song is about Willie Nelson

  3. M.... L....

    Fuck you mike for not making this video available on all platforms.

  4. T.... C....

    No more true country music its teen pop today

  5. M.... S....

    I agree with everyone about the bad music today but I listened to an interview today with Willy and he was talking about the fact that he wrote what he lived and it started me to thinking(never a good thing) the old songs that I love so much were done by people that lived those songs. Merles song "There tearing the labor camps down is an example and so is "That's the way it was in 51" What are they going to write about today?  A dumb ass in the white house? People killing other people on the streets for no reason? Try to think of one thing a song writer today could write about. Now I don't have to listen to the crap they put out but I understand they can't write about having to work pulling cotton and milking cows when your 5 or 6 years old just to be able to eat.

  6. R.... B....

    Have yet to find a Merle Haggard song that wasn't top of the line! Love it

  7. C.... S....

    there is a song by dale Watson called song to blake Shelton. there is a line said Id rather be a old fart than a new country turd. I'm not a fan of this new hick hop

  8. L.... E....

    Me and my daddy had many things In common. Huntin fishing and The Hag were my favorites. My daddy passed in 07. Now he has met our musical hero. RIP. Daddy and Merle

  9. T.... B....

    His simple way he played music strikes me like lighting. Sure miss him and Bonnie.

    T.... B....

    Bonnie, usually over his left shoulder singing those perfect harmonies.

  10. B.... S....

    It don,t get any better than than that. !!!..THE BEST Love ya Hag ...Always have Always will.

  11. W.... H....

    Love ya Hagg!
    Let's get rowdy one more time.

  12. R.... K....

    Vaya con Dios, Merle. Your songs shall live in the hearts of the country song lovers!

  13. C.... T....

    Sad day.. :(

  14. L.... C....

    Someone please wake me up from this bad dream and tell me it isn't true .

    L.... C....

    I thing he singing about Bonnie

    L.... C....

    Sorry I think he wrote this song about Bonnie Owens

  15. g.... s....

    RIP Merle

  16. B.... G....

    Rest easy

  17. W.... S....

    Who's the dumbasses that gave this thumbs down

    W.... S....

    William Smith people who dont know what real country music is

    W.... S....

    They were obviously deaf and stupid too!!

  18. B.... R....

    bummed!!!! I love you Merle!!

  19. h.... a....

    RIP Merle you were the best❤️

  20. w.... ....

    Merle Haggard, the best thing to ever happen to country music.

    w.... ....

    +whereyat89 SO TRUE

  21. w.... ....

    I'm going out for karaokee on my 41st birthday and I'm singing this song!

  22. J.... S....

    i think he should run for president

    J.... S....

    👍👍👍 I think he should but his supporting Obama would hurt him.

  23. A.... L....

    He called modern country music "crap". He couldn't be more spot on. Classic country is about real life, not fantasy.

    A.... L....

    Ikr new country is crap this is the good stuff

    A.... L....

    How is current country based on fantasy
    Serious question not that knowledgable

  24. g.... ....

    I'm 41 today goin on 22:)

    g.... ....

    👍👍👍

  25. R.... H....

    My mom's favorite singer and this is her favorite song!

  26. J.... K....

    They sure as hell don't sing em like they use to, Merle's the man

  27. H.... ....

    We left home when we was barley past elventeen.Love it....Great song Merle.

    H.... ....

    I'm 56 going on 22

  28. M.... ....

    truly one of the top 5 singers of the 20th century in any genre

  29. B.... F....

    Merle is the all time , all around best, singer, picker, songwriter

  30. P.... P....

    Oh yea, Merle you're still #1 in COUNTRY MUSIC !

  31. Y.... F....

    FUCK YEEAAH :D

  32. H.... G....

    One hell of a great country legend.Grew up in my home with his music.

  33. J.... N....

    ye, so this isnt game no?

  34. M.... F....

    Is it just me, or does it piss anyone else off that EVERY single dman video is interrupted by an annoying as hell advertisement? I assure you I will never buy jack from anybody interrupting my videos.

  35. D.... ....

    @equinox627 Yes. Yes you did.

  36. T.... B....

    Awesome video,I always liked Merles music

  37. R.... A....

    love this song

    thanks for sharing~~~

  38. S.... W....

    @lindapaintergirl Your so right, but we can always dream can't we. I guess I just spent too much time listening to old music and watching old movies

  39. S.... W....

    i like this song too, but the translation is, he's to selfish to grow up.

  40. L.... C....

    Sounds like this song could have been written when he was married to Leona Williams.
    GREAT SONG.
    Thanks for posting it.

  41. a.... ....

    He's touring,,,gonna be closeby outdoor at local casino. I hope to go.

  42. r.... L....

    top 5 are you kidding-the best

  43. R.... ....

    I love this song and haven't heard in a long time!! Thanks so much for posting all of these great Merle Haggard songs.