Country music star Merle Haggard wrote the following lyrics after spending years in and out of prison:

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

Determined I would rise above the shame.

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

I'm branded with a number on my name.

The lyrics are the reflections in a hit song recorded by Merle Haggard, titled “Branded Man.”

Devastated by his father’s death when he was still a child, Merle soon got into trouble and stepped into petty crime. He therefore found himself in prison many times, eventually ending up in the dreaded San Quentin Prison.

Through a series of events while in prison, Merle decided to change his lifestyle and took to music. He attributes this decision to a concert held by Johnny Cash at the prison. On being paroled, he took to country music and began to find success.

In 1972, Merle Haggard was granted a full pardon by then Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, and never looked back. He went on to become a legend in Country Music.

Possible Preaching Angle:

Sadly, we often accept the unkind labels put on us by others and live our lives believing that we have no worth! Whatever people say or think of us, however, what really matters is what God thinks of us. Thankfully, the scriptures show us that God places great value on us, and we need to believe what God says.