Half a Man

Jimmy Dale · Post by **Jimmy Dale** » 19 Apr 2004 5:24 pm

The last verse starts:
If I'd only been born with but one eye,
Then I'd only have one eye that cries.
My heart would be half full.........
What's he saying next? I've listened over and over and, I'm just not sure. Sounds like "of ashes" but that don't make much sense to me. Couldn't fine it on Cowpie.
Thanks much.Jim Miller I'D RATHER BE STEELIN'

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 19 Apr 2004 6:49 pm

I've looked at two dozen sites for Merles lyrics but Half a Man comes up empty, even to clicking on the title and it comes up not found or doesn't exist anymore. In my lyric book of that song I stopped at half a leg.

Can't find the song in my Merle audio stuff either. We need the Hag man on this thread.

Bob Knight · Post by **Bob Knight** » 19 Apr 2004 8:16 pm

Ken,
Check under Willie.

Jimmy Dale · Post by **Jimmy Dale** » 19 Apr 2004 9:18 pm

Guys, the copy I have is a recording of Merle and Willie doing the song. Willie does the second verse, and that's my problem. I can't understand what Willie is saying. It sounds like "My heart would be half full of ashes, and maybe half my heartaches would die". I've even listened to it standing on my head. That didn't work either. Jim I'D RATHER BE STEELIN'

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 19 Apr 2004 9:27 pm

Last verse:
<B>If I had been born with but one eye, then I'd only have one eye that cry's.
And if half of my heart turned to ashes, maybe half of my heartaches would die.
If I only had one leg to stand on, then a much truer picture you'd see.
For then I'd more closely resemble, the half a man that you made of me.</B>

If you get Willie Nelson's "Crazy The Demo Sessions" CD, the original demo of this song is hidden on the last track. It has a great little steel turn around, I just don't know if it's Jimmy Day or Buddy Emmons(they're both listed on the credits).

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 20 Apr 2004 12:49 am

Great version of this song by Ray Price on Greatest Hits 1, Step One Records, 1986 with Buddy Emmons on steel. If you can find it.

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Jimmy Dale · Post by **Jimmy Dale** » 20 Apr 2004 7:23 am

Thanks Alvin, I guess I wasn't far off after all. I also had a senior moment going there. It is George Jones and Willie, not Merle on the cut that I have. Thanks y'all. Jim Miller I'D RATHER BE STEELIN'