Young Musical Prodigy Covers Merle Haggard’s ‘The Fugitive’

Youtube/Keelan (Left), AP (Right)

A young musical prodigy pays tribute to Merle Haggard in a moving cover of his famed classic “The Fugitive.”

https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandMusicandMovies/photos/basw.AboORlTnnl7aT5SE-MIqOu7WbvLB0bpIWvXbXTGvznBPYpNiJrzGCiuXRL7b88nluGnnJq5ubPejPgR5_pKkiDCkKO5thhrZU5neys6jq9U5q93Fi5zx_KuhsaVwFL_FGz1IG2dEqwD8Oa3nq0jASVoIcstpNWclOsWX72qSm0i-Ng.369692856799166.1833163756971373.722862398113268.440894859408171.10208866744814409.282027842348715.442120972889687.10155884041083651.1001608553267674/722862398113268/?type=1&opaqueCursor=AbpkWS2OxcVTRCaBJKIcdJvzLcG4t2PXlcl5Uf0h9HRWvRGL-GO7hxWyttDBwbMjy-8ht8hilUi5PQXHo-eCsl8yiMTS0ZVFqNWOyXOTBv7-CbXcdhU4K59clHFw4IEanngJv1plI_nBgnJVfLIG_B1PPs0BIb-_1HtRqWdL3ROHaHW86wNbNdQHYk_O0CKZ6sdH1EFlMbrK9m8iUEUY_PHidCKmOtJhLVyqi1GNOn7G0RC9dPnEgNx8nCXvzzaNiC68zKR6yRnqVm-PSA-SiZXthuNl2_iaNhKTfhXMPabd1IUw2Q1WNLbb6WpvIIHxk7LzDOK5hnIg-49B89bRmjcrW0TPB2pen0kksaluqlMLwQKQzZjf-y2pEGu5-nG5HR-2p9CecFTpKiw-tGarvgrKNuJvlVn8ZcXXty3_4fhTdRyk7tTz4m_aPWzeJtK_ybDh-GSGDs2oGua207M5ixCz7KBQGq8MyZOfIISmtWXGj-aBqFo89DaWU2AGIr8oMiZ0UoAgWoZYkXZECcobmJ2oyuJATuZKiKgCIyBx2RzBTmE4i0mSaaDMcyygDYs1c8p27cfLGaCcRIVa76iKM2OMDiP_o_dZlu6Hh_PIb84_ohFi7lIIs485FpDomI6y9bEBl5-IIEa8q3OF5XqEyxyTv1xir_Ku5rbzjOkoo6TQ8_PIa3zvWFsNTqcPpKc3RA_wDU72koCobkmf97wBJgAB&theater

A Lonely Anthem

The young boy showcases expert guitar skills as well as strong country vocals with a signature southern twang. The video is shot in his living room while the young rising star sings Haggard’s harrowing lyrics – telling the story of a lonely fugitive.

“I’m sick and tired of running, the hunger and the pain,” sings the boy. “I am a fugitive being hunted down like game. I am a fugitive but I’ve got to clear my name.”

Youtube / Keelan

In “The Fugitive” Haggard plays the part of an escaped convict on the run from the law. The fugitive is afraid of the risk of settling down or falling in love that holds to his freedom – so he chooses to lead a lonely life on the road.

The song was released by Haggard as the title track from his 1966 album I’m a Lonesome Fugitive. The song peaked at No.1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart where it spent a total of 15 weeks.

https://www.facebook.com/WFLW957FM/photos/bc.AboLMb5gTBpeDoBs7rGzSDqFK9en9u_yAW9uH0w6dj_0EhKpMyKGVeOKkWJBmWgqkfSRX43B23t_t9XhBqnVtmq4WpFzasNUUYWxEwVJomLoWNMRtA3ejePeUiYNyy18r5TRbOZujqrTWP5KuhFgNfKYoTz31e-7bBDhsjbpT54iQQ/1833163756971373/?type=1&opaqueCursor=AboIAsJh_hGC4L2mB7GTPrAZnmkfoAzLzu7gx4KwlrFIZE0wdp8bw-pCpx6mXeKhxv4ZiHV1Sp6A7Eogoi45S3c2GqBee2Gqh9U9TSvVeY2XNA3NQtEoXiq3fJC25B61ze7naq0sFDfKXQvUX_AZTqMyWsV5udeCQuuXB4uIfh3AJVvQVUPyXJYYWEXwhREKTpN2aNEoE0DzrY2Kr0X3IE6afXLwGguQEdQQUBP3dVb5GazxZpd-U3Ht_e3fVJdHtpxMFosHyPteLc7zI07tsnMhDriGyHhsOPzF8meDPMtBaRMt7uss-mr8QNUcWJNUDuN2Ges0Qwf4NPmUp61W8IjJ_40xMLKs4h5s1adhtmKWYREpqF1lnmygUqtgdI_26q2dr7g8qq0zRvgE-vuIdrz_OxNpCM8iSsKyvMHCGrUuSPpcUrakAzoe7GM84XG6Ua0&theater

Watch the young boy’s beautiful rendition of the country outlaw classic in the video below and be sure to let us know what you think.

Save this article!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new articles & videos from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

About the Author

Manly Bryant

Throughout his over a decade-long career at Country Rebel, Manly Bryant has written thousands of articles, managed countless social media posts, connected with many country music stars in person, and documented many of the most iconic moments in country music history. Whether he’s covering a sold-out stadium show or spotlighting an up-and-coming artist, Manly brings…

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.