Branded Man

(Merle Haggard)



I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am

But they won't let my secret go untold

I paid the debt I owed 'em but they're still not satisfied

Now I'm a branded man out in the cold.



When they let me out of prison I held my head up high

Determined I would rise above the shame

But no matter where I'm living a black mark follows me

Now I'm branded with a number on my name.



I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am

But they won't let my secret go untold

I paid the debt I owed 'em but they're still not satisfied

Now I'm a branded man out in the cold.



--- Instrumental ---



If I live to be a hundred I guess I'll never clear my name

Cause everybody knows I've been in jail

No matter where I'm living I've got to tell 'em where I been

Or they'll send me back to prison if I fail.



I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am

But they won't let my secret go untold

I paid the debt I owed 'em but they're still not satisfied

Now I'm a branded man out in the cold.



Now I'm a branded man out in the cold...