About the song
Willie Nelson – He Won’t Ever Be Gone is a heartfelt tribute to one of country music’s most legendary figures, the late Merle Haggard. Released in 2017 as part of Nelson’s album God’s Problem Child, this song is both a personal farewell and a declaration that Haggard’s influence will never fade. Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard shared a deep bond—not just as fellow musicians but as close friends who spent decades shaping the landscape of outlaw country. Their collaborations, including Pancho and Lefty and Django and Jimmie, solidified their place in music history, and Nelson’s grief is palpable in every line of He Won’t Ever Be Gone.
From the moment the song begins, Nelson’s signature phrasing and warm, slightly weathered voice carry the weight of loss, but also the comfort of remembrance. The lyrics pay tribute to Haggard’s legacy, recalling his timeless songs and the way he captured life’s struggles with honesty and grit. The melody, simple yet deeply evocative, is pure traditional country—a style both men helped define. The instrumentation features Nelson’s signature guitar, Trigger, along with a gentle rhythm section that allows the lyrics to shine.
What makes He Won’t Ever Be Gone particularly moving is its balance between sorrow and celebration. Rather than dwelling solely on loss, Nelson reminds listeners that Haggard’s music—and the spirit behind it—will live on. This sentiment is shared by fans who continue to find solace in Haggard’s songs, from Mama Tried to Okie from Muskogee. The song serves as a reminder that great artists never truly leave us; their work becomes a permanent part of our lives. For longtime country music fans, Nelson’s tribute is both deeply personal and universally relatable—a touching farewell from one legend to another.
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Lyrics
Got the news this morning
It would be a tough day
Someone’s so much larger than life
Can’t believe he could pass away
When it comes to country music he’s the world
And it wouldn’t be all it is without his word
And He won’t ever be gone
His songs live on
A fugutive and a brand new man
Mama tried to understand
Left us a lifetime of songs
And He won’t ever be gone
We were friends right from the start
And we shared some high times
I would sing some songs he wrote
And he would sing a few of my own
Music made us brothers ’til the end
Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him
And He won’t ever be gone
His songs live on
Ramblin’ fever and the way I am
Blue collar blues for the working man
We’ll be singin it back home from now on
And He won’t ever be gone
And He won’t ever be gone
His songs live on
A fugutive and a brand new man
Mama tried to understand
Left us a lifetime of songs
And He won’t ever be gone
We’ll be singin it back home from now on
And He won’t ever be gone
