Merle Haggard - Folsom Prison Blues (Live at Farm Aid 1985)

Merle Haggard sings Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" at Farm Aid in Champaign, Illinois on September 22, 1985.
Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers. Dave Matthews joined Farm Aid's board of directors in 2001.
For more information about Farm Aid, visit: farmaid.org/youtube
Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help - what can you do?

[@Pentagonshark666]

To everyone it was just a song to sing, even for Johnny, but for Merle it was LIFE.

[@margaretsharbono2218]

Music doesn't get any better than Mr Merle Haggard. Been listing to Him since 1967 Still to Him today 7-15-24. 1:35am MABS

[@anthonygermano9363]

Now this is Country Music Folks. RIP Merle.

[@Rex7980]

😂They put Willie on the camera in the wings and Merle was smiling too and acknowledged the fun 😂

[@regstacey8256]

The best ever version and singer of this song

[@ridin352]

if only we still had country stars that could play guitars and sing like Merle and Waylon radio might be more enjoyable

[@jenniferjustice5527]

+Stan Haines -We do, they must be cultivated, and cultured!

[@ridin352]

They're few and far between. Toby Keith and Jamey Johnson are a few. But most of what comes on local radio stations aren't no where close. Thank God for Pandora radio

[@MrHusker4life]

you need to listen to some Dwight Yoakam.

[@JohnnyCashFanatic]

+Jacob Bierbaum Nut uh. Listen to The Coffinshakers. They're awesome.

[@matejkrajnc1797]

There's plenty of them, but radio doesn't care.

[@franoomrcen2433]

Dear Merle you are the best country artist in all country history!!!!!!!!!!

[@sfdeadhead712]

Pedal steel solo is awesome. Merle’s solo is a great touch

[@clementine3218]

Wow! Sung by someone who actually spent time in prison. Amazing. RIP to a music god.

[@glennvieregge934]

Meryle schooled all of them on his worst day...The greatest vocal,the greatest music writer, the everything...❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@marcob4630]

a real cowboy's face ! great country

[@maryfizer9030]

💖These are some of the best singers&songs in the world!💖Merle sings Folsom Prison pretty good but no one sings it like Johnny Cash ! 😇❤🎶🙏💘

[@joanne-solutions3506]

Well Done Merle- thanks for supporting farm aid! RIP!

[@jenniferjustice5527]

Thank you for your music Merle and Johnny!! FOLSOM PRISON BLUES!! My daddy was an engineer at Folsom Prison, according to my momma, back in '78, they made him work a 72 hour shift before he came to pick me up from the babysitters one nigh, I was 2. He had one beer before he came to get me, then right before we got home he fell asleep and crashed into a tree on a dirt road called Sandridge. I got life-flighted to U.C. Davis Med Center in a helicopter after the 'Jaws of Life' pulled me from the car. My skull was split open and the doctors told my momma that I wasn't going to make it. I've had a cross shaped scar on my head ever since. And my momma and daddy were never the same, after that. They all wound up playing the blame-game. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, YES!! But, I do understand them FOLSOM PRISON BLUES! I do hope I live to be as old as you, Merle!! (P.S. - what labor laws?)

[@SWC44]

+Jennifer Justice GLAD ya MAde It!! and Told Your Story.. Jack

[@scooterlow43]

+Jennifer Justice Wow crazy story

[@flashcat945]

Such professionalism & quality, truly remarkable! Legends are forever.

[@patriciamartineau9471]

Unbelievably great!

[@donaldthrasher1228]

A very sad day when we hear another legend has left us. God bless.

[@margaretsharbono2218]

Love LOVED Mr Merle Haggard Always Will. Nobody can beat His Singing, Song Writing or Stage Presentation . He will Always be the BEST. 9-11-2021. 5:35pm. MABS

[@glen7318]

God Bless merle.. why did you have to leave us

[@dallasford9203]

God only tahes good peoplewhat a shame life short i have lived through all these wonderful people thank you what a messed up world we live now who would want to have children now thanks mearle and the rest of you singers never be the same god bless our time 💔💜

[@annprimrose3908]

Miss him so much Love him singing The best ever and good looking as well 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟☘️💯

[@joegiza814]

I really enjoy the old country singers. I wished that I could play a guitar. I once played an accordion, but now its not recognized as instrument.

[@annprimrose3908]

Joe Giza me too that's

[@annprimrose3908]

Joe Giza I play accordion and I wish I could play guitar Great music x

[@Rex7980]

Legend Merle wising he had a drink of water and Clint Strong on that wonderful Solo 😁

[@corneliadenninger5395]

Many artists may cover a John R. Cash song but nobody will even come close to his performing and charisma and his special Greatness he sang a song. John R. Cash can´t be covered. He is the GREATEST ever. /CD

[@MrGoogelaar]

Cornelia Denninger Absolutely agree with you, Cash just had that something special, difficult to explain but he was just a cut above the rest.

[@ramhagramhag5481]

Cornelia Denninger - cash is not even close to Merle Haggard !!!!!

[@Royelsworth]

except when Merle Haggard can sound Just like Johnny Cash in his younger years and you would swear it was Johnny Cash. he isn't doing it in this one though.

[@lukegriffith1950]

John R. Cash couldn't even pack The Hag’s dinner bucket.

[@EricNoneless]

Okay, but Merle has full merit for singing this song, because when he was in prison, Johnny Cash played a show in his prison and in part inspired him to be the amazing artist he was.

[@SonnyJones93]

Willie Nelson looked so mad after Merle sang the third verse

[@wolf4555]

Merle's son Marty is playing guitar there with his dad... he is behind him in the white hat...

[@lennyd.9270]

A legend. Playing another legends song ❤

[@dewaynewhite2928]

wow! awesome memory, I lived the farm aid times good memories from that time

[@glennvieregge934]

The one and only .❤

[@timkooper]

God what a jam

[@karenbritt8888]

Merle Haggard enough said, God Love him❤❤❤

[@Pentagonshark666]

Same GOOD as Johnny's version.

[@gautamastro]

Merle you are great

[@dougcombs5051]

Old Merle he will be missed! R.I.P

[@kaylahloftin9156]

Man I love this

[@rosemariegutsche2065]

ein ganz tolles lied.... ein schönes Wochenende lg Rosemarie

[@thenewjohnnycashdontheiris8504]

Merle was in San Quentin as a prisoner when Johnny cash did his infamous new year's Day concert. It inspired him to join the prison band. And take his mind off his freind rabbit who had escaped shot a cop and brought back with a death sentence being on death row.

[@angisking8116]

jesus died for you so live for him

[@SRSM198]

Merle last of a kind R.I.P

[@alphasixfive1658]

I was there - well in the US anyway !

[@love4lust7301]

that shit is packed

[@huggyboarmcluvin8075]

THE HAG !!!!!!

[@gaylewitham3509]

You may be dreaming . Wish for your. Success.

[@countrygirl3458]

yeah baby

[@TheRubiconInvasion]

RIP.....

[@carolynbozeman3763]

He was paying tribute to CASH

[@NancyDBeam]

I've seen that guitar Merle is playing somewhere in a music video...

[@melin520]

I hear that train a comin' it's comin' around the bend I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when I'm locked in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin' on And I hear that train a rollin' on down to San Antone. When I was just a baby my mama told me, son Always be a good boy don't choose ever play with guns But I shot a man in Reno just watching him die and I hear that train roll hang my head and I cry. *************** this problem rich folks dining in a fancy dining car probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars Well I know I had it comin' I know I can't be free But I hear that train rollin' that's what tortures me.....

[@emiliovaqueromartin1656]

Merle and Theresa in this show 1985

[@wid7125]

Any more? Thanks for sharing.

[@dominicvega9267]

Outlaw country.

[@stephenrutherford3223]

Stephen liks this songs

[@keithnelson1036]

Right Andre rieu marching bands

[@OtsodosBulan]

2:00 willie nelson

[@hodiau016]

Standing next to Illinois governor James R. Thompson

[@boostmobile5541]

yessssddd

[@mikedaly4885]

How about adding George, Conway and Hank Williams SR to that list?

[@lakotasioux97]

+Mike Daly Hi Mike, don't worry. It's just that today we show our feelings, sadness and tears for Merle Haggard. I just Pray that the time will come when we all can see and hear them all again in Heaven. With Jesus in His Father's House. Will miss you Merle Haggard, you have left this Earth a much better place, for we will still be able to listen and enjoy your Beautiful music and stories for generations to come. Just like those who were here before and with you during your life here on earth. God Bless You. And your TRUE COUNTRY MUSIC and the Memories. RIP

[@gordonilaoa1275]

it would've been nice if they linked a solo to Luther Perkins or at least his style to pay tribute...

[@JohnnyCashFanatic]

I'm sad that Merle's gone but he shitted on the song. The reason why I think that is this: Merle doesn't come from that generation of gothic folk singers like Cash. Johnny arrived in 1955 when the gothic gangster folk era of guys like Woody Guthrie and Jimmie Rogers was just starting to fade. Cash still was apart of their tribe because of the subject matter in his music. That's why Johnny transitioned so well into Alternative & Hard Rock. After the 50's, Nashville's country scene morphed into something that make Mr. Rogers look like he's a crime boss.

[@aaronrider4051]

You could not be more wrong! The reason why I say this is because 'Folsom Prison Blues' and 'San Quentin' were songs that John Cash wrote FOR people like Merle Haggard. When John performed at San Quentin for the first time in 1958, Merle Haggard was a prisoner in the audience, doing time for armed robbery! Therefore, when Merle cut John's song 'Folsom Prison Blues', he was singing it from the perspective of someone who John had represented with his music. Merle's whole career choice after prison was inspired by John's decision (see 'Man in Black') to stand for the working man and the prisoners of America. Merle's performance here was a man taking on the baton that John passed to him at San Quentin in 1958. And how dare you say Merle "shitted on it"? Merle sings and plays it with exactly the sort of forlorn but prideful outlaw attitude the song conveys. He does goof around a bit, but that's just Merle having fun with the crowd! If I had 40 #1 hits, I'd be goofy too!

[@JohnnyCashFanatic]

+Aaron Rider let me rephrase that. Merle got his start during the outlaw era. He was good but he doesn't do Cash's songs justice. As I said Johnny started in '55 when goth country was mainstream. It still exists, check out modern gothic stars like Jay Munly or the coffinshakers.

[@JohnnyCashFanatic]

+Aaron Rider I just don't think Merle had the same vibe as Johnny. But he sings so much better than brad paisley (good lord!). If I'm willing to bet that Merle could've broken paisley in half, what would Johnny have done to him?

[@passionforguns]

The Last Outlaw there were no fuckin outlaws when Merle started, he was the first.

[@BenHaggard]

Johnny cash once told dad, your everything the people think I am.

[@Matthew_Eitzman]

Check out my version of this song!