The Hag releases final song

While sick, The Hag was hospitalized for much of the time, resulting in the cancellation of most of his concerts.

When it was suggested that he not go back on the road and rest at home, he did while also walking across the road to his studio to record a few songs he'd been writing while in the hospital. "Kern River Blues," which is about his memories of leaving Bakersfield in the late '70s, was his final song.

Haggard's family wanted to thank people for their support during his illness and decided to release the song. After debuting on SiriusXM Channel Willie's Roadhouse (which can be heard on SiriusXM channel 59 and through the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com), the song will be available at the Haggard web site and iTunes. Ten percent of all gross proceeds from the sale of this song will go to homeless charities.

"Kern River Blues" lyrics are:
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