In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in forming the country music supergroup The Highwaymen, and formed a key creative force in the outlaw country music movement that eschewed the Nashville music machine in favor of independent songwriting and producing. In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. As an actor, he is known for his roles in Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973), Blume in Love (1973), Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974), A Star Is Born (1976) (which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor), Convoy (1978), Heaven's Gate (1980) and Blade (1998).
Kristofferson has said that he would like the first three lines of Leonard Cohen's "Bird on the Wire" on his tombstone:
Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
Anthem '84
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And love you for your freedom. I'm your man.
And I ain't gonna leave you for the crazy things you're doing
But don't ask me to lend a helping hand.
You were such a pretty dream as I remember
You were young and strong and God was on your side.
But vision slowly faded like the wonder from your eyes
But I still believe in all that we believed in.
And I pray to God that you will in the end.
And you'll see the golden chances that you're wasting.
And be the loving beauty that you can.
But I still believe in all that we believed in.
And I pray to God that you will in the end.
And you'll see the golden chances that you're wasting.
And be the loving beauty that you can.
The lyrics to Kris Kristofferson's song "Anthem '84" speak to the importance of loyalty and belief in a relationship, even in the face of difficulties. He positions himself as a fighter who will stand by his loved one's side through thick and thin, but he acknowledges that he may not have all the answers or be able to fix everything. He urges his partner to rediscover the compassion that he or she once possessed and to not waste the opportunities available to them.
Kristofferson portrays his partner as a once-beautiful dream, full of strength and faith, but who has lost their way in life due to pride. He implores them to rediscover their sense of purpose and to become the loving beauty that they were meant to be, hinting that there is still hope for them yet. Despite the difficulties they face, Kristofferson maintains his faith in their relationship and in their shared beliefs.
Overall, "Anthem '84" is a heartfelt plea for reconciliation and redemption, and serves as a reminder of the power of love and loyalty in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're looking for a fighter who'll defend you
I am willing to protect and stand up for you in any situation.
And love you for your freedom. I'm your man.
In addition to defending you, I deeply value your personal liberty and will love you for it.
And I ain't gonna leave you for the crazy things you're doing
Despite any wild or unusual actions you may take, I will remain steadfastly by your side.
But don't ask me to lend a helping hand.
However, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide you with practical assistance.
You were such a pretty dream as I remember
I recall when you were a beautiful vision of hope and potential.
You were young and strong and God was on your side.
At that time, you possessed both youth and strength, and seemed to have divine support.
But vision slowly faded like the wonder from your eyes
Over time, your aspirations and enthusiasm diminished until they were gone completely.
And you traded your compassion for your pride.
You allowed your sense of self-importance to overshadow your capacity for kindness and empathy.
But I still believe in all that we believed in.
Even though you may have lost faith in our shared values, I still hold true to them.
And I pray to God that you will in the end.
I hope that you will eventually rediscover those principles and treasures that you once cherished.
And you'll see the golden chances that you're wasting.
It is my wish that you recognize the amazing opportunities you are squandering.
And be the loving beauty that you can.
I hope that you can reclaim your inner beauty and compassion to become the best version of yourself.
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