I Made The Prison Band

Merle Haggard · Branded Man [1967]

(Tommy Collins - Jimmy Bryant - Ernest R. Ball)



Deep inside this lonely prison where the pleasures are so few

Where the walls are strong and the days are long and there's nothin' new

I learned to play the guitar and I'm a doin' the best I can

I guess I could be worse because I made the prison band

I made the prison band.



Now there's ole bashfull Bill on the doghouse bass Willie on the steel guitar

He hails from Ponkatilla where they drive a pretty mean bar

And back on the drum there's two time Tom our mshot temple man

The boys call me their singin' MC since I made the prison band

I made the prison band.



--- Instrumental ---



I've been plannin' a break since Christmas I had the details all worked out

But now I know that I ain't gonna go and there's no doubt

I had my try-out Sunday and the outcome changed my plan

I gotta rehearse for the Friday night show cause I made the prison band

I made the prison band.



Now there's ole bashfull Bill on the doghouse bass Willie on the steel guitar

He hails from Ponkatilla where they drive a pretty mean bar

And back on the drum there's two time Tom our mshot temple man

The boys call me their singin' MC since I made the prison band

I made the prison band.



I made the prison band...

I Made The Prison Band

Merle Haggard's 'I Made The Prison Band' stands as a gritty testament to the outlaw country ethos, capturing the raw energy of the late 1960s. Recorded for his album 'Branded Man,' the track exemplifies Haggard's signature blend of steel guitar and resonant vocals, delivering a narrative steeped in the struggles and resilience of the working class. The song reflects the era's fascination with the American frontier and the harsh realities of incarceration, themes central to Haggard's broader body of work. By weaving together personal hardship with a sense of defiant pride, the recording reinforces Haggard's status as a pivotal figure in country music history, offering listeners an unvarnished glimpse into the life of a man who made his own rules.