While Merle Haggard was battling pneumonia in the hospital and canceling tour stops, he was spending his final days writing music.
His final song -- "Kern River Blues" -- is being released posthumously on Thursday, May 12. Fans can find the song on Merle's website or on iTunes, according to an announcement by Haggard's manager Tresa Redburn.
Ten percent of the proceeds from the song's sale will help homeless charities, Redburn said.
"Kern River Blues" already debuted on SiriusXM Channel "Willie's Roadhouse", the channel of Merle's friend Willie Nelson. The channel's name changed to "Merle's Roadhouse" the weekend of his death. The song's lyrics were also read at Merle's memorial in Bakersfield on Wednesday by Haggard's sister Lillian.
Haggard was known for songs that challenged government and politicians, and you can see that in "Kern River Blues." Oildale residents and fans of his work said his songs were about the truth and someone needs to stick it to the man.
"He was very true to his heart, you can tell that what he's singing about is his life," Tina Dwyer said.
One verse reads, "Well, they used to have Kern River Runnin’ deep and wide/ Then somebody stole the water/ Another politician lied." Oildale residents relate to the frustration.
"It's really bad, and I think they need.. I mean this is the San Joaquin Valley. We supply half the world in food and we need water... Bad," Mark Farmer said.
Locals are excited and look forward to hearing the new song, saying Haggard would have wanted it to be released.
"I think that is fantastic! And still making us proud, making Bakersfield proud...I know he's rockin' up there [in heaven] about that," Dwyer said.
LYRICS TO "KERN RIVER BLUES":
I’m leavin’ town tomorrow
Get my breakfast in the sky
Well, I’m leavin’ in the early morning
Eat my breakfast in the sky
Be a donut on a paper
Drink my coffee on the fly
I’m flying out on a jet plane
Gonna leave this town behind
I’m flying out on a jet plane
Gonna leave this town behind
They’ve done moved the city limits
Out by the county line
Put my head up to the window
Watch the city fade away
Put my head close to the window
Watch Oildale fade away
The blues back in the ‘30s
Just like the blues today
There used to be a river here
Runnin’ deep and wide
Well, they used to have Kern River
Runnin’ deep and wide
Then somebody stole the water
Another politician lied
When you closed down all the honky tonks
The city died at night
When you closed down all the honky tonks
The city died at night
When it hurt somebody’s feelings
Well, a wrong ain’t never right
Well, I’m leaving town forever
Kiss an old boxcar goodbye
Well, I’m leaving town forever
Kiss an old boxcar goodbye
I dug my blues down in the river
But the old Kern River is dry
