Merle Haggard - The Sidewalks Of Chicago Lyrics






The Levis that I'm wearin' have beeen good to me
They just won't admit they're growin' old
Though my shirt's made contact with the gutter, now and then
At least it keeps my body from the cold

Thank God, folks back home in Harland County
Can't see what success has done to me
Would you believe the kids in Harland High School
Voted me most likely to succeed

Now I'm walkin' on the sidewalks of Chicago
If I buy the bread I can't afford the wine
Now I'm walkin' on the sidewalks of Chicago
Wishin' I had lived some other time

I wasn't here too long before I met her
And then later she really swept me off my feet
And she stayed just long enough to make me love her
And now they're sweepin' me up off the street

My mama thinks I've really hit the big time
She's written ever day since I've been gone
But she doesn't know that 109 West Charolette
Is the address of the West Side Mission Home

Now I'm walkin' on the sidewalks of Chicago
If I buy the bread I can't afford the wine
Now I'm walkin' on the sidewalks of Chicago
Wishin' I had lived some other time





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Merle Haggard The Sidewalks Of Chicago Comments
  1. T.... D....

    Mr Haggard! Inspiration for life! Rip

  2. P.... H....

    The Levis that I'm wearin' have beeen good to me
    They just won't admit they're growin' old
    Though my shirt's made contact
    with the gutter now and then
    At least it keeps my body from the cold

    Thank God, folks back home in Harland County
    Can't see what success has done to me
    Would you believe the kids in Harland High School
    Voted me most likely to succeed?

    Now I'm walkin' on the sidewalks of Chicago
    If I buy the bread I can't afford the wine
    Now I'm walkin' on the sidewalks of Chicago
    Wishin' I had lived some other time
    ++++++++++++++
    I wasn't here too long before I met her
    And then later she really swept me off my feet
    And she stayed just long enough
    to make me love her
    And now they're sweepin' me up off the street

    My mama thinks I've really hit the big time
    She's written ever day since I've been gone
    But she doesn't know that 109 West Charoltte
    Is the address of the West Side Mission Home

    Now I'm walkin' on the sidewalks of Chicago
    If I buy the bread I can't afford the wine
    Now I'm walkin' on the sidewalks of Chicago
    Wishin' I had lived some other time.....

  3. 1.... ....

    Anyone who dwelled in the Windy City's Uptown neighborhood in the 1970s knows the reality of what Merle is conveying in this song.

  4. O.... B....

    Great Song , Merle singing about my home town . Not Chicago , But Harlan County Kentucky

  5. J.... K....

    Mouse Man...you are so right! Mighty Merle was the best! And another piece of REAL country died when Merle died. His music will live on forever! I listen to Merle every day!
    Janelle in Houston

  6. C.... D....

    Merle's the best

  7. A.... R....

    "If I buy the bread ...... I can't afford the wine." Now THAT is a dilemma

  8. A.... R....

    "I'm a big fan of Haggard, more to come." - excellent words, what the English language was meant for

  9. l.... a....

    I played this song for a friend of mine. He had never heard it before. Doug plays in a band. I told him if he would get the music to this song I would like to sing it. We are members at The Senior Center here in Smethport, Pa. R.I.P. Merle!

  10. R.... M....

    I got a trivia question! who was merle in love with when he wrote the song" always wanting you"?

    R.... M....

    dolly parton

    R.... M....

    I completely forgot about that!

  11. m.... m....

    Merle died today and another piece of "real country music" died also. RIP Merle and prayers for your family.. I'll see you soon....

  12. D.... C....

    My mama thinks I've really hit the big times

  13. H.... ....

    A gem from 1971 off Merle's "Hag" album.

  14. P.... C....

    To set the record straight, as Merle would agree whole heartedly...this song was written by the great Dave Kirby.

    P.... C....

    Pat Coyne ....not one 🖕🏻 is given about that sh*t....

  15. D.... C....

    One of the top two, he and Hank Williams, country songwriters and singers of all time. I had the pleasure and honor of singing (and I can't) with him in a bar in Grand Prarie, Texas just before he became a big country star. Go Merle!!!

  16. C.... H....

    Me and old Bookie know this song and we have somewhat lived it. I think Old tommy was there and we would have loved to been there with him.

  17. D.... a....

    we wouldnt have george strait and alan jackson if merle didnt pave the way.......

  18. A.... R....

    Hag tells it like it is. I've walked the sidewalks of Chicago. Go Hag.

  19. T.... ....

    I just love Merle!

  20. T.... ....

    I love this video

  21. T.... ....

    I love this song!

    T.... ....

    I loved it to. He trying to make the best out of life being poor.😉