I was on the road in Georgia When I heard Merle had passed away Hell, I thought he'd live forever He shaped every note I played Some nights these old white lines look different Than they usually do He was my greatest inspiration The reason why I sing the blues He taught me how to play the guitar And write a country song He spent time in San Quentin For the things that he'd done wrong He made me proud to be an Okie And God knows we paid our dues He was my greatest inspiration The reason why I sing the blues Oh, I'm lost in a world without Haggard Oh, who'll tell the truth to you and me? Oh, I'm lost in a world without Haggard It's a world I thought I would never see ♪ He gave his life to country music He's the best that's ever been An honest voice of reason Like we won't see again If I could hear one last song It's Merle that I would choose He was my greatest inspiration The reason why I sing the blues He was my greatest inspiration The reason why I sing the blues