Lyrics Page
Uncle Lem
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Jul 26, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
Merle Haggard's 'Uncle Lem' tells the story of an elderly former slave living in a rundown shack that the town's Garden Club wants to tear down. The song reflects on Uncle Lem's life, his history as a slave, and his connection to the community. In a poignant twist, his will leaves his shotgun to the mayor and the shack to the Garden Club, revealing his forgiving and generous spirit. The song touches on themes of dignity, memory, and reconciliation, but it is not a Christian worship or gospel song.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
Ladies of the Garden Club say
His home is just a disgrace to the town
If the mayor wants re-elected
He'd better pass some laws and tear it down.
They wanna' cover it with flowers
Maybe even plant some Dogwood trees
I guess that they've forgotten when we were kids
What that place used to be.
I know it's just a shanty now
But Lord that place was built with human tears
For it's the home of Uncle Lem
Who was born and raised and lived there ninety years.
There's not a boy in this ole' town
That had'nt stopped for water at his well
Or sat on his porch in the evenin'
And listened to the stories that he'd tell.
His hair was the color of cottonfields
And his skin was old and brown
And he was born in that rundown shack
Before there was a town.
He bought that shack and piece of earth
For the highest price you'd pay
His Mom was bought and sold there
Uncle Lem was born a slave.
[Spoken:]
The mayor and some ladies of the Garden Club went out to that old shack
To tell Uncle Lem that he'd have to find another place to live
But they found him there in that old broken down rockin' chair and on an
old brown paper sack thay found his will. Now I wanna leave my old
shotgun to the fine mayor of this town for I remember when he was just
a little fella' he used to follow me around. Lord, I wish I had more to
leave to my friends that I love, but, Lord, all I've got's this old shack and
piece of earth and I want it to go to the ladies of the Garden Club.
[Sang:]
His hair was the color of cottonfields
And his skin was old and brown
And he was born in that rundown shack
Before there was a town.
He bought that shack and piece of earth
For the highest price you'd pay
His Mom was bought and sold there
Uncle Lem was born a slave.
His Mom was bought and sold there
Uncle Lem was born a slave...