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Branded Man

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[Chorus]
GI'd like to hold my head up and be Cproud of who I Gam
But they won't let my secret go unDtolAdD  
I Gpaid the debt I owed them, but they're Cstill not satisGfied
Now I'm a branded Dman out in the Gcold
[Verse 1]
GWhen they let me out of prison, I Cheld my head up Ghigh
Determined I would rise above the DshaAmeD  
But no Gmatter where I'm living, the Cblack mark follows Gme
I'm branded with a Dnumber on my Gname
[Chorus]
GI'd like to hold my head up and be Cproud of who I Gam
But they won't let my secret go unDtolAdD  
I Gpaid the debt I owed them, but they're Cstill not satisGfied
Now I'm a branded Dman out in the Gcold
[Verse 2]
GIf I live to be a hundred,I guess I'll Cnever clear my Gname
'Cause everybody knows I've been in DjaiAlD  
No Gmatter where I'm living, I've got to Ctell them where GI've been
Or they'll send me back to Dprison if I Gfail
[Chorus]
GI'd like to hold my head up and be Cproud of who I Gam
But they won't let my secret go unDtolAdD  
I Gpaid the debt I owed them, but they're Cstill not satisGfied
Now I'm a branded Dman out in the Gcold
Now I'm a branded Dman out in the Gcold

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

This song delves into the poignant fear of an ex-convict, newly paroled, who grapples with the anxiety of not being accepted by society. It captures the heavy burden of a past that leaves an indelible mark, making integration into the outside world a daunting challenge. Released in 1967 as the title track from the album Branded Man, it speaks to the isolation and judgment that can follow someone even after they've served their time. Playing it, you can feel the weight of that "branded" identity.

AI-written from these sources:Branded Man (song) — Wikipedia ↗Merle Haggard — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Branded Man

by Merle Haggard

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Chorus]

G C G

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am

D A D

But they won't let my secret go untold

G C G

I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied

D G

Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

[Verse 1]

G C G

When they let me out of prison, I held my head up high

D A D

Determined I would rise above the shame

G C G

But no matter where I'm living, the black mark follows me

D G

I'm branded with a number on my name

[Chorus]

G C G

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am

D A D

But they won't let my secret go untold

G C G

I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied

D G

Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

[Verse 2]

G C G

If I live to be a hundred,I guess I'll never clear my name

D A D

'Cause everybody knows I've been in jail

G C G

No matter where I'm living, I've got to tell them where I've been

D G

Or they'll send me back to prison if I fail

[Chorus]

G C G

I'd like to hold my head up and be proud of who I am

D A D

But they won't let my secret go untold

G C G

I paid the debt I owed them, but they're still not satisfied

D G

Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

D G

Now I'm a branded man out in the cold

About Branded Man Chords by Merle Haggard

Learn how to play Branded Man by Merle Haggard with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Branded Man chords”, “Branded Man guitar chords”, or “Merle Haggard Branded Man chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Branded Man chords and for experienced players who want accurate Branded Man lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D, A.

FAQ — Branded Man by Merle Haggard

How do I play "Branded Man" by Merle Haggard on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Branded Man" by Merle Haggard on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Branded Man" by Merle Haggard free?

Yes. The chords for "Branded Man" by Merle Haggard are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Branded Man" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Branded Man" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Branded Man"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Branded Man" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Branded Man" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Branded Man" by Merle Haggard with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Merle Haggard below.

What key is "Branded Man" in?

The chords for "Branded Man" show the original chord names (including G, C, D, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.