When Merle Haggard first sang “Okie From Muskogee” in 1969, it wasn’t just another country tune on the radio — it was a statement, a snapshot of a very divided America. Born out of the turbulence of the late ‘60s, the song came from a place of pride for the small-town values Merle grew up with in Oildale, California, and from his admiration for the straightforward way of life in Muskogee, Oklahoma. It’s a place, as he put it, where “even squares can have a ball.”
What makes this song stand out isn’t just its catchy melody or sharp, clear-eyed lyrics — it’s the way Merle delivers it. There’s no preachiness, just the voice of a man speaking from the heart, proud of where he comes from, and unapologetic about it. Whether listeners saw it as a tongue-in-cheek jab at the counterculture or a genuine anthem for Middle America, it sparked conversation — and still does today.
For many, “Okie From Muskogee” became more than a hit; it was a cultural marker. It climbed the charts, won CMA’s Single of the Year in 1970, and cemented Merle as not only a master storyteller but also as a voice for people who felt overlooked in a rapidly changing world. Decades later, you can still feel the grit, the grin, and the grounded honesty in every verse — proof that Merle didn’t just sing country music; he lived it
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Lyrics
[Verse 1]
We don’t smoke marijuana in Muskogee
We don’t take our trips on LSD
We don’t burn our draft cards down on Main Street
‘Cause we like living right, and being free
[Verse 2]
We don’t make a party out of loving
But we like holding hands and pitching woo
We don’t let our hair go long and shaggy
Like the hippies out in San Francisco do
[Chorus]
And I’m proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightning’s still the biggest thrill of all
[Verse 3]
Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear
Beads and Roman sandals won’t be seen
And football’s still the roughest thing on campus
And the kids here still respect the college dean
[Chorus]
And I’m proud to be an Okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse
And white lightning’s still the biggest thrill of all
And white lightning’s still the biggest thrill of all
(In Muskogee Oklahoma USA)