Deep Cuts: Merle Haggard Guitar Songs You Should Know
Not every great Merle Haggard song became a household name, but many of his deep cuts hold some of the most heartfelt lyrics and unique guitar work of his entire catalog.
This page dives into the lesser-known side of Merle’s discography—songs that may not top the charts, but still strike a chord with longtime fans.
From the reflective tones of Footlights and In My Next Life to the gritty stories in Kern River Blues and The Way I Am, each track here offers a distinct flavor of classic country soul.
These lessons are designed for guitar players looking to explore beyond the greatest hits and truly connect with Merle’s artistry.
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Deep Cuts Merle Haggard Guitar Songs ”
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Popular Merle Haggard Guitar Songs
Deep Cuts Merle Haggard Song List
1. Family Bible2. Footlights
3. High On A Hilltop
4. Hobo's Meditation
5. I Never Go Home Anymore
6. I'm So Tired Of It
7. In My Next Life
8. It's All Goin To Pot
9. Kern River
10. Kern River Blues
11. Let's Chase Each Other Round The Room Tonight
12. Mama's Hungry Eyes
13. Ol Country Singer
14. Pray
15. Rainbow Stew
16. The Silver Ghost
17. The Way I Am
18. Thirty Again
1. Family Bible - Learn To Play On Guitar
Family Bible was written by Willie Nelson back in the 60's. Ernest Tubb I believe was one of the first to record the song and of course Willie has recorded the song.
In fact him and Merle put the track on their collaboration 2015 album Django and Jimmy. Merle has never released the song as a single.
Chords And Strumming
This one is in standard tuning with a root down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and no lead to deal with as you play through the chords C, F, G, Am, D7, G7 and an A#.
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2. Footlights - Learn To Play On Guitar
Footlights, like the song below called High On A Hilltop, never got released as a single.
The track is also found on Merle's album Down Every Road 1962-1994.
Chords And Strumming
This one I play with a capo 2nd but Merle's version is one fret lower. Played in standard tuning with a root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and some lead. The chords you'll need are A, Dm, D, E and an A7.
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3. High On A Hilltop - Learn To Play On Guitar
High On A Hilltop was never released as a single by Merle Haggard and was first released on his 1966 album Swinging Doors And The Bottle Let Me Down.
Merle did a bluegrass album but this song was not on that album. You can also find the track on his album Down Every Road 1962-1994.
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo on the 2nd here for this old bluegrass number in standard tuning. The chords here are a D, A, A7 and a G with a short lead break. For rhythm play root down up down up and repeat as you move through the chords.
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4. Hobo's Meditation - Learn To Play On Guitar
Hobos Meditation is an old Jimmy Rodgers song that Merle recorded in 1969 from his tribute album to Rodgers called Same Train A Different Time.
Merle never released this song as a single.
Chords And Strumming
Play this one with a simple root down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning. No lead required as you play the chords C, G7, F, D7, G and an E7.
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5. I Never Go Home Anymore - Learn To Play On Guitar
I Never Go Home Anymore is a track from Merle's 1984 album It's All In The Game.
This song was never released as a single.
Chords And Strumming
For this one play a root up down up down up and repeat for rhythm and in standard tuning. Some lead required here with the chords G, D, Em, Bm, G7 and a C.
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6. I'm So Tired Of It All - Learn To Play On Guitar
I'm So Tired Of It All is a song written and recorded by Hank Williams back in 1948. Merle Haggard recorded the song for an album by Don Was which was called Forever Is A Long Long Time and was apparently covers of old Hank tunes by Was himself.
The original album was released under the name Orquestra Was.
A short film was also produced starring Kris Kristofferson.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played in C in standard tuning with a simple root down up root up down up rhythm pattern and the chords C, G, G7, F and a C7. A little bit of picking in this one.
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7. In My Next Life - Learn To Play On Guitar
In My Next Life was a single from Merle's album entitled 1994, which was released in 1994.
The song peaked at #58 on the US country charts.
Chords And Strumming
No lead needed in this one but it does do a key change near the end. For rhythm play root down up down up down up and repeat in standard tuning with the chords C, F, G, G7, C7, A7 and a D. No lead required here.
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8. It's All Goin To Pot - Learn To Play On Guitar
It's All Goin To Pot was a duet Willie did with Merle Haggard in 2015. The song reached #48 on the country chart.
The track was on the album Django And Jimmie.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played in standard tuning with a root down up down up down up and repeat pattern and some lead. For chords you'll need a D, G and a C.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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9. Kern River - Learn To Play On Guitar
Kern River was the only single from this album of the same name back in 1985 and the song peaked at #10 on the Billboard country chart.
The song was written by Merle himself.
Chords And Strumming
This one is in standard tuning with the four chords A, D, E and a Dbm. You can play a root down up down up bass down up down up for rhythm and a short picking break in the middle of the song.
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10. Kern River Blues - Learn To Play On Guitar
Kern River Blues was released in 2016 as a non album single.
The song failed to chart on the county scene.
Chords And Strumming
A three chord song here with a C, F and G with some lead. For rhythm play a root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with a capo on the 3rd fret in standard tuning.
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11. Let's Chase Each Other Round The Room Tonight - Learn To Play On Guitar
Let's Chase Each Other Around The Room was a single released from the 1984 album It's All In The Game.
The single reached #1 in the US and #9 in Canada. Merle co-wrote this song with two other writers.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one with a drop D tuning and a steady down up down up rhythm pattern because it's a walking bass kinda tune. Only a G, D and a D7 for chords in this one and a little bit of melody lead required.
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12. Mama's Hungry Eyes - Learn To Play On Guitar
Hungry Eyes was a single release back in 1969 from the album A Portrait of Merle Haggard. The song went to #1 in the US and #2 in Canada.
Some people refer to this song as Mama's Hungry Eyes but the official title is simply Hungry Eyes.
Chords And Strumming
You can play this one in standard tuning with a shuffle rhythm using a root down up down up root up down up. A bit of melody lead can be used for the break while playing the chords D, D7, G and A7 in standard tuning.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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13. Ol Country Singer - Learn To Play On Guitar
Ol Country Singer sounds like an old song from the 30's to me, but apparently it was written by Merle Haggard and is found on his Live From Austin Texas album and on Youtube.
Chords And Strumming
This song sounds like something from the 1930s and is played with a root down up down up root down up down up rhythm pattern in standard tuning. No lead to deal with as you ply the chords G, Gb, G7, C, E7, A7, D, Gdim, D7, A, Ab, B7 and an Adim. There is a key change in this one so that explains all of the chords.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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14. Pray - Learn To Play On Guitar
Pray is a track on Merle Haggard's 2007 album entitled The Bluegrass Sessions. The song is about focusing on others and not on yourself.
Chords And Strumming
A nice mellow vibe here from Merle with a capo 2nd fret and a simple root down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning. Some lead required in this one with the chords C, G, G7, C7 and an F.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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15. Rainbow Stew - Learn To Play On Guitar
Rainbow Stew is a track from his 1981 live album called Rainbow Stew Live at Anaheim Stadium. The song was released as a single and made it to #4 on the US country charts.
Chords And Strumming
You can play a root down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern or in the verse I play a root up down up down up but you can play it either way all the way through, or change it up. In standard tuning and a capo 2nd fret this one has some lead with the chords G, C, D and a D7.
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16. The Silver Ghost - Learn To Play On Guitar
The Silver Ghost is a track from Merle's 1976 album My Love Affair With Trains.
Only one single was released from this album but this song was not that single.
Chords And Strumming
A train song here from Merle and in his version he does a key change but here in mine I do not. Played with a capo 3rd fret and playing root down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern you'll need to do some picking in this one. Only four chords here and they are Am, C, G and a Dm.
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17. The Way I Am - Learn To Play On Guitar
The Way I Am is a track from the 1980 album of the same name. Merle scored a #1 in Canada and a #2 in the US with this number.
Chords And Strumming
For this one in standard tuning play a down down up down up and repeat for rhythm. Some lead in this one in standard tuning with the chords G, C,
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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18. Thirty Again - Learn To Play On Guitar
Thirty Again is a track from Merle's 1987 album Chill Factor.
There were four singles released from this album but this song was not one of them.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played in standard tuning with a root down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. A bit of melody lead playing in the middle of the song with the chords Dbm, C7, Bm, E7, E, A, D, E, Adim and an A6.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Whether you’re a seasoned Haggard fan or discovering these songs for the first time, this page is your gateway to learning some of Merle's most underrated yet rewarding guitar tracks.
We’ve included full-length demos, chord breakdowns, rhythm patterns, and downloadable resources to help you bring these deep cuts to life.
And if you’re looking for more Merle Haggard favorites, be sure to check out our other pages linked below for both hit songs and fan-favorite ballads.
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