Merle Haggard：Meaning of Oil Tanker Train Songmeaning

The song "Oil Tanker Train" by Merle Haggard is a nostalgic tribute to the memories of his childhood, specifically the old boxcar where he lived in with his family. The train that runs on the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroad lines served as a source of excitement and fascination for the young Haggard, who would eagerly run to the window to watch the train pass by. The song also highlights the influence and importance of Haggard's dad, who worked for the railroad and made the Christmas of young Merle even more special by gifting him with a toy tanker train. The lyrics convey a longing for the happy times of the past, and Haggard's ability to bring back those memories through songwriting. Overall, "Oil Tanker Train" is a solemn tribute to the simple joys and happy moments of childhood and the memories that shape who we are.