The Roots Of My Raising.
Merle Haggard.
Album: The Roots Of My Raising.

Intro: D G A G A D

D                                   G              D
I left the four lane highway took a blacktop seven miles,
D                                E            A7
Down by the old country school I went to as a child,
    D                                G                 D
Two miles down a gravel road I could see the proud old home,
D                                 A7              D
A tribute to a way of life that's almost come and gone.

(Chorus)
    G                       D
The roots of my raising run deep,
D                   E7              A7
I come back for the strength that I need,
    G                        D
And hope comes no matter how far down,
  A        G           A       D
I sink the roots of my raising run deep.

(Spoken)
  D
I pulled into the driveway, 
G                           D
Lord it sure was good to be there,
D
And I could see through the open door,
     E7                             A7
That dad was asleep in his favorite chair,
       D
In his hand was a picture of mom,
                                G   D
And I remembered how close they were,
D
So I just turned away,
D                                   A         D
I didn't want to wake him spoil his dreams of her.

D                                        G                D
A Christian Mom who had the strength for life the way she did,
D                                      E7                A
Then to pull that apron off and do the Charleston for us kids,
D                            G                D
Dad a quiet man who's gentle voice was seldom heard,
D                                  A             D
Who could borrow money at the bank simply on his word.

(Chorus)
    G                       D
The roots of my raising run deep,
D                   E7              A7
I come back for the strength that I need,
    G                        D
And hope comes no matter how far down,
  A        G           A       D
I sink the roots of my raising run deep,
    G           A           D
The roots of my raising run deep.