June 22: Happy Birthday Kris Kristofferson (born 1936 – age 81) – His 10 best songs

One of my fav artists, and he’s written many great songs.

This is a list (+ videos), not a bio… so here goes:
(preferred album version included)

1. Sunday Morning Coming Down – The Austin Sessions (1999)
2. Me and Bobby McGee – Kristofferson (1970)
3. Why Me – The The Austin Sessions (1999)
4. Help Me Make It Through the Night – Kristofferson (1970)
5. For the Good Times – The The Austin Sessions (1999)
6. Here Comes That Rainbow Again – The Essential Kris Kristofferson (2004)
7. The Silver Tongued Devil and I – The Silver Tongued Devil and I (1971)
8. To Beat the Devil – The Austin Sessions (1999)
9. Nobody Wins – The Austin Sessions (1999)
10. The Pilgrim, Chapter 33 – The Silver Tongued Devil and I (1971)

Yes! I LOVE “The Austin Sessions” album…

—

There are many great video clips on youtube, and I’ve tried to compile the best versions (live versions are as always preferred):

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Well I woke up Sunday morning,
With no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt.
And the beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad,
So I had one more for dessert.
Then I fumbled through my closet for my clothes,
And found my cleanest dirty shirt.
An’ I shaved my face and combed my hair,
An’ stumbled down the stairs to meet the day.

Me and Bobby McGee

Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose,
And nothin’ ain’t worth nothin’ but it’s free,
Feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.

Why Me

Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I’ve known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving You
Or the kindness You’ve shown

Help Me Make It Through the Night

Come and lay down by my side
’till the early morning light
All I’m takin’ is your time.
Help me make it through the night.

For the Good Times

Lay your head upon my pillow.
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine.
Hear the whisper of the raindrops,
Blowin’ soft against the window,
And make believe you love me one more time,
For the good times.

–

Here Comes That Rainbow Again

my all time fav Kris lyrics…

The scene was a small roadside cafe,
The waitress was sweeping the floor.
Two truck drivers drinking their coffee.
And two Okie kids by the door.
“How much are them candies?” they asked her.
“How much have you got?” she replied.
“We’ve only a penny between us.”
“Them’s two for a penny,” she lied.

And the daylight grew heavy with thunder,
With the smell of the rain on the wind.
Ain’t it just like a human.
Here comes that rainbow again.

One truck driver called to the waitress,
After the kids went outside.
“Them candies ain’t two for a penny.”
“So what’s it to you?” she replied.
In silence they finished their coffee,
And got up and nodded goodbye.
She called: “Hey, you left too much money!”
“So what’s it to you?” they replied.

And the daylight was heavy with thunder,
With the smell of the rain on the wind.
Ain’t it just like a human.
Here comes that rainbow again.

The Silver Tongued Devil and I

I took myself down to the Tally Ho Tavern,
To buy me a bottle of beer.
And I sat me down by a tender young maiden,
Who’s eyes were as dark as her hair.
And as I was searching from bottle to bottle,
For something un-foolish to say.
That silver tongued devil just slipped from the shadows,
And smilingly stole her away.

To Beat the Devil

My thirsty wanted whisky; my hungry needed beans,
But it’d been of month of paydays since I’d heard that eagle scream.
So with a stomach full of empty and a pocket full of dreams,
I left my pride and stepped inside a bar.

Nobody Wins

Any more it doesn’t matter
Who’s right or wrong
We’ve been injuring each other
For much too long
And it’s too late to try to save
What might have been
It’s over
Nobody wins

The Pilgrim, Chapter 33

He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars,
And he’s traded in tomorrow for today
Runnin’ from his devils, Lord, and reachin’ for the stars,
And losin’ all he’s loved along the way
But if this world keeps right on turnin’ for the better or the worse,
And all he ever gets is older and around
From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse,
The goin’ up was worth the comin’ down

Check out:

• Kris Kristofferson and Bob Dylan Mutual Admiration – Happy Birthday Kris Kristofferson

-Egil