The Unbreakable Bond of Country Music Legends Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
As any true country music fan knows, the legendary friendship between Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard is the stuff of Nashville folklore. Two icons of the Western lifestyle, bound by their shared love of poker, outlaw country tunes, and an unwavering loyalty that spanned over half a century.
The bond between Willie and Merle shines through in their final duet together, the poignant "Unfair Weather Friend."
It's a heartfelt salute to the kind of companion who stands by your side through the darkest of storms.
The song's lyrics, penned by Marla Cannon-Goodman and Ward Davis, could have been ripped directly from the lives of these two country music greats.
Willie and Merle's Lasting Friendship
Willie and Merle first met by chance in the early 1960s at a high-stakes poker game hosted at Willie's home in Nashville. From that fateful day onward, a connection was forged - one that would endure through the ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies, of their celebrated careers.
"We had a lot in common," Willie reflected. "We both loved the lifestyle, the music, the camaraderie. Merle was just one of those guys I could always count on, no matter what."
That sentiment is echoed in the lyrics of "Unfair Weather Friend," as the two legends trade verses about being there for each other through thick and thin. "I know if I showed up at your door on a soakin' wet, beat-down day / You'd welcome me in and let me stay," Willie sings, his weathered voice evoking a lifetime of shared experiences.
Merle's response is just as poignant: "I remember that lonely Friday night, the phone was the only light / You were the one I called, my come whatever unfair weather friend."
It's a testament to the unbreakable bond they shared - a connection that transcended the changing tides of fame and fortune in the country music world. Whether they were jamming together, swapping stories over a high-stakes poker game, or simply enjoying each other's company, Willie and Merle were the embodiment of true, unwavering friendship.
"That's the kind of guy Merle was," Willie once said. "He had my back, no matter what. And I like to think I had his, too."
Even as one half of this legendary duo has now passed on, the spirit of their unfailing friendship lives on - an inspiration to country music fans and enthusiasts of the Western lifestyle alike. "Unfair Weather Friend" stands as a beautiful, bittersweet tribute to a bond that weathered any storm, and the comfort of knowing you have that one person you can always count on.
So pour yourself a cold one, saddle up, and let Willie and Merle's timeless harmonies transport you to the honky-tonks and backroads where their story unfolded. It's a tale of loyalty, laughter, and the type of friendship that defines the very heart of country music.
Buy "Unfair Weather Friend" Here
Click here to download Unfair Weather Friend, Merle and Willie's final duet. A tribute to a lasting friendship.
Lyrics To "Unfair Weather Friend"
[Willie Nelson:]
The whole sky opens up and it rains down on my head
I show up at your door, beat down and soakin wet
I know you will open up and let me waltz right in
My come whatever, unfair weather friend
[Merle Haggard:]
If I find myself out lost on a lonely Friday night
The songs aren't hittin home and the whiskey don't taste right
A few numbers on the phone and you're on the other end
My come whatever, unfair weather friend
[Willie Nelson:]
I might wind up stuck out on some old forgotten highway
Somehow you'll show up and sure enough be goin' my way
[Merle Haggard:]
You're always there, right where you've always been
My come whatever, unfair weather friend
[Willie Nelson:]
I don't have to wonder where'll you be if I should need you
All I have to do is close my eyes and I can see you
Always there, right where you've always been
[Merle Haggard:]
Sometimes this whole world is my worst enemy
And I know where to run when it gets to me
No one else but you can make it all make sense
My come whatever, unfair weather friend
[Willie Nelson:]
My come whatever, unfair weather friend
Richard Sutherland
RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.orgRichard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.