Man's Gotta Give Up A Lot
Merle Haggard · Hag-The Studio Recordings 1969-1976 [2007]
Well, a man's gotta give up a lot to keep a woman satisfied
You gotta give 'em everything you've got or they'll kick you aside
It don't take much they take 'em home with ye
It takes a whole lot to keep 'em there with ye
A man's gotta give 'em some ground to keep 'em around.
Turn everything around sideways try to look through a woman's eyes
And you'll find the whole world takes on a different view
Try to see mankind like a woman does you know what it takes to make a woman love
You know how to act when the woman comes back to you.
'Cause a man's gotta give up a lot to keep a woman satisfied
You gotta give 'em everything you've got or they'll kick you aside
It don't take much they take 'em home with ye
It takes a whole lot to keep 'em there with ye
A man's gotta give 'em some ground to keep 'em around.
--- Instrumental ---
'Cause a man's gotta give up a lot to keep a woman satisfied
You gotta give 'em everything you've got or they'll kick you aside
It don't take much they take 'em home with ye
It takes a whole lot to keep 'em there with ye
A man's gotta give 'em some ground to keep 'em around.
A man's gotta give 'em some ground to keep 'em around...
Man's Gotta Give Up A Lot
Merle Haggard's 'Man's Gotta Give Up A Lot' stands as a quintessential example of his mastery of the outlaw country and honky-tonk styles. Recorded during the late 1960s and 1970s, the track exemplifies Haggard's ability to blend personal narrative with universal themes of sacrifice and the burdens of responsibility. The song reflects the era's focus on the struggles of working-class life, a hallmark of Haggard's discography that resonated deeply with audiences across the American South and beyond. As a staple of his studio recordings from this period, the track showcases his signature vocal delivery and storytelling prowess, cementing his legacy as a defining voice in country music history.