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
Coyote
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you know the notches
That he ought to wear on his gun
He sees you through eyes
He's partially blinded
>from staring to long at the sun
And he's nobody's fool
And he's lucky to still be alive
The wolf pack will die
When it's scattered by man
Lonesome coyotes survive.
He burried his feelings
And life was a mountain
That he was determined to climb
Then he caught the scent
Of a sister in spirit
Who taught him to love her in time
Somehow or other
She gathered together
The cubs that he sired on the way
And they run by his side
Through the chill hungry night
And they sleep to his sweet serenade
There's a part of his heart up in heaven
And a part that will always be wild
And all he can leave them is love and a reason
To run for the rest of their lifves
Lonesome coyotes survive.
There's a part of his heart up in heaven
And a part that will always be wild
And all he can leave them is love and a reason
To run for the rest of their lifves
Lonesome coyotes survive.
Kris Kristofferson's song "Coyote" is a reflective ballad about a man who, like a coyote, has survived despite the odds. The singer has been labelled a "bandit" and has been subject to the judgment of society. However, he remains true to his principles and nobody's fool. He has managed to stay alive, while the rest of the "wolf pack" has been scattered by man. The coyote's survival instinct and independence is emphasized throughout the lyrics, and how it is a skill required to make it in life.
The man's character transformation occurs when he meets a woman who teaches him how to love. Together, they raise the cubs that he has sired along his journey. The lyrics suggest that this woman is the only one that had this transformative effect on him, and they manage to make a family despite the circumstances. The children become a symbol for hope and the continuation of life. The coyote is proud of his family, and they provide him with the sweet serenade that he sings. The coyote accepts his wild and free nature, and he has peace in his heart. Kristofferson's narrative is heartfelt and suggests that even those who are seen as outcasts can find love and family at the end of the day.
Line by Line Meaning
They call him a bandit
He's seen as a criminal by many
And you know the notches
That he ought to wear on his gun
He's done things that he could be punished for
He sees you through eyes
He's partially blinded
>from staring to long at the sun
He's been through a lot, and it's affected his perspective
But he's true to his school
And he's nobody's fool
And he's lucky to still be alive
He's stayed true to himself despite the odds, and is grateful to still be alive
The wolf pack will die
When it's scattered by man
Lonesome coyotes survive.
Those who stick together are vulnerable, but loners are more resilient
He burried his feelings
And life was a mountain
That he was determined to climb
He's kept his emotions hidden and focused on his goals
Then he caught the scent
Of a sister in spirit
Who taught him to love her in time
He found someone who showed him a new way to live and love
Somehow or other
She gathered together
The cubs that he sired on the way
She helped him take care of his responsibilities
And they run by his side
Through the chill hungry night
And they sleep to his sweet serenade
His family depends on him, but he also finds joy in his role
There's a part of his heart up in heaven
And a part that will always be wild
And all he can leave them is love and a reason
To run for the rest of their lifves
Lonesome coyotes survive.
He has conflicting desires and hopes for his family, but ultimately wants them to be free and happy
There's a part of his heart up in heaven
And a part that will always be wild
And all he can leave them is love and a reason
To run for the rest of their lifves
Lonesome coyotes survive.
He's aware that he can't control everything, and that freedom is key to survival
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MaryABJM
One of My Favorites, by Kris. It doesnt matter how old he gets or when he sings it. Its always from his heart β€ and you truly feel the emotions and the holy spirit as he sings it. God Bless Kris!
@TheBlackFenceCat
Awesome song. Kris is a legend. Brilliant.
@xine9997
"There's a part of his heart up in Heaven
And a part that will always be wild"
Perfect summation of the romance of Kris kristofferson!
@DustinBlythe
Nice video, nicely done. "Repossessed" is one of Kris' best albums: lyrically, musically and vocally speaking.
@biggestkkfan1506
Dustin Blythe Thank you. I also love this album really much.
@kriskisstofferson2848
@biggestkkfan don't tell me what to do I warn you you're wasting your Big ass fan time
@touttamoi
Perfect match! Great job as usual Tina!
@jackiestar007
Love this song β€πΌπ«β£οΈβ¨π€
@coyoteman2407
I feel like this song was dedicated to me. Jokes aside, I really love this song
@kathyhaggerty7620
This used to be my "get up and go to work" song.Β Some years have gone by and now it isΒ my "get up" song.Β Love ya, Kris!