Written by Merle Haggard
C F Dad was my hero God called him away C G7 Momma was lonely and I was afraid C F With no one to lean on I turned to the booze C G7 C Hard times come early when you’re born with the blues F Railroads were leaving and airplanes were in C G7 The great war was brewing about to begin C F Hungry and lonesome nothing to lose C G7 C Raised in a boxcar and born with the blues F Born with the blues trouble in mind C G7 Smoking and drinking by the time I was nine C F In debt from the start I’m still paying my dues C G7 C Crazy and lonely and born with the blues F In spite of the cocaine and in spite of it all C G7 God gave me a woman to cushion the fall C F You’re like Paul of the bible spreading good news C G7 C A man on a journey and born with the blues