The opening lines, "I’m only human, I’m just a man," acknowledge personal limitations and the need for divine help to believe in one's potential.
It was written by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson in 1973. Merle Haggard One Day At A Time (Gospel Song)
First recorded by Marilyn Sellars in 1974, it won the Dove Award for Song of the Year in 1975. Cristy Lane later took the song to #1 on the Billboard country charts in 1980. Merle Haggard's Version The opening lines, "I’m only human, I’m just
Merle Haggard's rendition is widely considered one of the most "soothing" and "heartfelt" versions of the hymn. It appeared on his , Songs for the Mama That Tried , a tribute to his mother's faith and her influence on his life. You can listen to his performance on Spotify or view official uploads on YouTube . Cristy Lane later took the song to #1
While many associate it with "The Hag," the song has a powerful backstory rooted in the struggles of its original co-writer:
The second verse contrasts Jesus’ time on earth with the modern world, which the singer describes as "worse now than then," filled with "pushing and shoving" that crowds the mind. The Story Behind the Song