Merle Haggard - Rainbow Stew Lyrics Meaning

As a child, I took it as Sarcasm and "when hell freezes over". I think that might have been how many people of that era took it then. It seemed impossible. But, as an adult, with His lyrics sounding more like predictions, it has become a hopeful song. Hell, Willy converted his busses to ethanol. So, it doesn't rattle my bones too much to consider he had been talking with some forward thinking individuals and was being sincere in this song, all the while knowing it'd be taken as wishful thinking. 1981=11 yrs after the EPA was created in the US.

Brilliant art is art that continues to speak to us decades later. This is the only properly forward thinking and positive country song I can name, especially from this particular era of kenny, dolly, etc...the prime of "cryin in your beer" country.