Introduction
Some songs do more than fill the air—they settle into your soul. “If I Could Only Fly” is one of those rare, aching melodies that feels like a confession whispered straight from the heart, and it takes on a whole new layer of meaning when Ben Haggard sings it.
Originally penned by Blaze Foley and later immortalized by Merle Haggard in the closing chapter of his life, “If I Could Only Fly” serves as a tender farewell—a slow, beautiful ache, woven into every note. It speaks of distance and regret, of yearning to bridge the gap between two hearts that life simply won’t allow to meet.
But when Ben takes the stage, the song transforms. It transcends a mere cover and becomes a heartfelt dialogue—a son’s gentle reply to a father who’s no longer here. Ben’s delivery is not an imitation of Merle’s voice; it’s a respectful conversation with silence, allowing the melody to heal and to mourn all at once. You can feel the weight of legacy in each phrase, yet you also sense the enduring warmth of love that survives beyond absence.
If you’ve ever lost someone you held dear, or wished you’d found the courage to speak before it was too late, this rendition will find you. It doesn’t demand your attention with grandeur—it simply sits beside you, softly, like a cherished memory you’re not quite ready to release.
“If I could only fly
I’d bid this place goodbye…”
— In Ben’s voice, those words become more than a wish; they feel like a promise.