I'll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle
(Nick Gravenites)

As I drove down old 65
I was cruising down that old grapevine
Well I must have been doing at least about ninety five
Right there on the side of the road all broke down
Well who do you think was a-standing around
But the greatest country singer alive

Chorus
Well I'll change your flat tire, Merle
Don't you get your sweet country picking fingers
All covered with oil
'Cause you're a honky I know, but Merle you got soul
And I'll fix your flat tire Merle

Well I hear you had an adventurous youth
Making love in a telephone booth
And I even hear you did a little stretch in jail
But now you got a big ranch house with a bar
And eight, nine, ten of them fancy cars
And every other week a cheque coming in the mail

[ chorus ]

Well I heard all them records you did
Making fun of us long-haired kids
And now you know we don't care what you think
'Cause Merle, if you're gonna call the world your home
You know you're gonna have to go out and get stoned
And it's better with a joint than a drink
I think
[ chorus ]

Recordings:
Nick Gravenites recorded this with Big Brother And The Holding Company on "Be A Brother", and it was covered by Pure Prairie League on "Two Lane Highway" as well as on the live album "Live Takin' The Stage".

Played by Jerry Garcia with Nick Gravenites and Pete Sears on 29 Apr 1990. A riposte to Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee".