If there was ever a song that put the heart and soul of the working class into words, Workin’ Man Blues by Merle Haggard is it. This isn’t just another country song—it’s an anthem, a hard-hitting tribute to the men and women who wake up early, put in long hours, and do what it takes to keep food on the table. Haggard, a man who knew firsthand about struggle and resilience, poured real-life grit into this 1969 classic, and its raw honesty is what makes it timeless.
From the first strum, the song grabs you with that driving honky-tonk beat—one that feels like the rhythmic hum of a factory floor or the steady march of boots on pavement. Then, Haggard’s voice cuts through, full of pride and exhaustion all at once, telling the story of a man who works hard, loves a cold beer, and dreams of a better life but never shies away from an honest day’s labor.
What makes Workin’ Man Blues hit so deep isn’t just the lyrics—it’s the authenticity behind them. Haggard wasn’t singing about some made-up character; he was singing about his own people, the blue-collar folks who shaped America, who built things with their hands, who knew the value of sweat and sacrifice. That’s why it still resonates today. Whether you’re clocking in at a factory, working the fields, or pulling a long shift anywhere in the world, this song gets it.
It’s not a song about complaining—it’s a song about owning the grind, about finding pride in the struggle and keeping your head up, even when the days feel long. That’s what gives Workin’ Man Blues its power. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s country music at its finest
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Lyrics
It’s a big job gettin’ by with nine kids and a wife
Even I’ve been workin’ man, dang near all my life but I’ll keep workin’
As long as my two hands are fit to use
I’ll drink my beer in a tavern
And sing a little bit of these working man blues
But I keep my nose on the grindstone, I work hard every day
Get tired on the weekend, after I draw my pay
But I’ll go back workin’, come Monday morning I’m right back with the crew
I’ll drink a little beer that evening
Sing a little bit of these working man blues
Sometimes I think about leaving, do a little bummin’ around
Throw my bills out the window, catch me a train to another town
But I go back working, I gotta buy my kids a brand new pair of shoes
I’ll drink a little beer that evening
Cry a little bit of these working man blues, here comes workin’ man
Well, hey, hey, the working man, the working man like me
Never been on welfare, and that’s one place I will not be
Keep me working, you have long two hands are fit to use
My little beer in a tavern
Sing a little bit of these working man blues, this song for the workin’ man