Merle Haggard：Meaning of My Rough And Rowdy Ways Songmeaning

The song My Rough And Rowdy Ways is about a man who has lived a life of drinking and gambling while traveling, but has met a woman and settled down with her in a cottage in their hometown. However, he is torn between his love for his new life and his desire to continue wandering on the railroad trains. He acknowledges that he may be rough and wild, but that's just his style and he can't give up his old ways. The song likely reflects Merle Haggard's own experiences as a troubled youth who spent time in reform schools and ultimately turned to music to express his feelings and experiences.