Conversion Of Ronnie Jones
Merle Haggard · Hag-The Studio Recordings 1969-1976 [2007]
Ronnie Jones decided to settle down so he married Annie Birch
Now Annie hadn't been around too much she mostly only went to church
Right away she started in insistin' that he come on up and join
He said I'll tell you what I'll do to settle this by dog I'll flip a coin.
Preacher used some fancy words but Ronnie tried his best to understand
Cause he loved his little Annie and for her he wanted to be a better man
But of all the things they told him it seemed that he remembered only one
He said I guess I'll have to go up there and tell 'em everything I've done.
The Sunday meeting just took up and Ronnie stood outside half scared to death
Regretin' what he had to do in there and tried hard to get his breath
There didn't seem to be much use to put off what he had to do no more
So he backed way up and took a run and bolted through the double lobby door.
--- Instrumental ---
Annie's eyes began to overflow in tears of joy at what she saw
The preacher took him by the hand and said bless you my boy tell it all
While every head was bowed in prayer some women slipped outside as if
to pray
Fearin' what the spirit might cause Ronnie and his circumstance to say.
All their fears were justified his simple life became an open book
Names like Dorris Cunningham Wanda Webb even Marlene Cook
Another kind of fire began to burn down in the depths of Annie's soul
She turned on Ron and used some words nobody'd ever heard her say before
Sometimes we know not what we pray for...
Conversion Of Ronnie Jones
Merle Haggard's 'Conversion Of Ronnie Jones' stands as a poignant song in his extensive gospel catalog, reflecting the artist's deep spiritual roots alongside his signature country storytelling. Recorded during a prolific period of his career, the track captures Haggard's ability to blend secular heartache with religious redemption, a theme that permeates much of his work from the late 1960s and 1970s. The song highlights his versatility beyond barroom ballads, showcasing a sincere vocal delivery that emphasizes the transformative power of faith. As part of a broader body of work that includes numerous award-winning gospel hits, this recording remains a testament to Haggard's enduring influence on the genre. It offers listeners a glimpse into the personal convictions that shaped his music, reinforcing his status as a master of American roots music who could articulate profound emotional shifts with clarity and grace.

