OldiesButGoodies

Country

Ben Haggard & Noel Haggard – “It’s Been A Great Afternoon”

Ben and Noel Haggard - Saturday July 20 | The 2019 Franklin County Fair

Introduction:

“It’s Been a Great Afternoon” is a poignant country ballad penned by the legendary Merle Haggard. Released in 1978 on his album “I’m Always on a Mountain When I Fall,” the song climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard country music singles chart, solidifying Haggard’s status as a master storyteller and chronicler of the American working class.

The song’s narrative centers around a father and son who spend a day together fishing. The father, a seasoned angler, shares his wisdom and experiences with his son, creating a lasting bond between them. The lyrics capture the simple joys of spending time in nature, the satisfaction of catching a fish, and the quiet moments of reflection that often accompany such activities.

Haggard’s vocals are imbued with a deep sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the precious time spent with his son. The melody is both melancholic and uplifting, mirroring the bittersweet nature of the experience. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its universal themes of family, connection, and the fleeting nature of time. It serves as a reminder to cherish the moments we share with loved ones and to find solace in the simple pleasures of life.

“It’s Been a Great Afternoon” has become a beloved classic in the country music canon, often featured in films, television shows, and various tribute albums. It stands as a testament to Merle Haggard’s songwriting prowess and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a way that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Video:

https://youtu.be/snXof8a4lqE?si=SIxSznWeHp-zNIIP

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Merle Haggard’s childhood was becoming increasingly chaotic when something entered his life that would eventually change everything: a guitar. His older brother Lowell gave him one when Merle was around 12. Merle began teaching himself, absorbing the records and styles of country heroes such as Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. There were no expensive lessons preparing him for Nashville. There was simply a troubled California kid listening closely and learning how another man’s sadness could live inside a melody. Merle would still make plenty of mistakes. Music didn’t instantly rescue him from running away, juvenile detention or eventually prison. But the guitar remained. Years later, millions would recognize Merle’s voice within seconds. Perhaps that’s because he wasn’t merely learning how to sing songs as a boy. He was slowly learning how to tell the truth about his own life.

Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

THE RAREST BEE GEES MOMENT OF ALL — FOUR GIBB BROTHERS, ONE SONG, ONE STAGE… AND A MEMORY FILLED WITH BOTH JOY AND HEARTBREAK.

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