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
Epitaph
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, ain't it a shame
Grieving together
Sharing the blame.
But when she was dying
Lord, we let her down.
There's no use cryin'
It can't help her now.
The party's all over
Drink up and go home.
It's too late to love her
And leave her alone.
Just say she was someone
Lord, so far from home
Whose life was so lonesome
She died all alone
Who dreamed pretty dreams
That never came true
Lord, why was she born
So black and blue?
Oh, why was she born
So black and blue?
The opening lines of Kris Kristofferson’s song “Epitaph” paint a poignant and desolate picture. We are presented with a gathering of friends who have come together to share their grief over the loss of someone dear to them, someone who has clearly suffered and who was let down by those who surrounded her during her dying days. This sense of abandonment and sadness is reinforced in the chorus where it is stated that “It's too late to love her and leave her alone” suggesting that perhaps the woman in question died somewhat isolated, disconnected from love and all that could have kept her going. The final verse then adds another layer of despair with a litany of things that this person may have aspired to, including the loss of the ability to dream, to build hopes for the future or to see those dreams come true.
Thus, the song comes across as an emotional tribute to someone who suffered quietly and alone, left unloved and unappreciated, while a sense of regret is left hanging in the air. The ‘Epitaph’ of the title perhaps acknowledges that for the woman at the center of the song, there was no chance for a final resting place or a proper farewell as she was truly alone in life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
Her close friends have gathered.
The deceased woman's friends have come together.
Lord, ain't it a shame
It's a pity.
Grieving together
Mourning as a group.
Sharing the blame.
Taking responsibility together.
But when she was dying
However, when the woman was passing away
Lord, we let her down.
We failed to stand by her side.
There's no use cryin'
Crying won't change anything.
It can't help her now.
It won't bring her back.
The party's all over
The woman's life is done.
Drink up and go home.
Accept the end and move on.
It's too late to love her
We can't express our affection for her now.
And leave her alone.
We have to say goodbye.
Just say she was someone
Let's consider her as a person
Lord, so far from home
Who was far from home, God.
Whose life was so lonesome
But lived a very lonely life.
She died all alone
And died without any company.
Who dreamed pretty dreams
She had big and wonderful dreams.
That never came true
Which, unfortunately, never became a reality.
Lord, why was she born
God, why did she have to be born?
So black and blue?
And suffer so much pain and hardship?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DONNIE FRITTS, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IpheltaThei
Epitaph - Kris Kristofferson
Her close friends have gathered.
Lord, ain't it a shame
Grieving together
Sharing the blame.
But when she was dying
Lord, we let her down.
There's no use cryin'
It can't help her now.
The party's all over
Drink up and go home.
It's too late to love her
And leave her alone.
Just say she was someone
Lord, so far from home
Whose life was so lonesome
She died all alone
Who dreamed pretty dreams
That never came true
Lord, why was she born
So black and blue?
Oh, why was she born
So black and blue?
@johnnyjensen6067
What a beautiful and sad song for Janis Joplin. Mimi Farina, ( Joan Baez's sister ) wrote "In the Quiet Morning" for her, and Chelsea Hotel No 2 was written for Janis by Leonard Cohen. Great honours to one of the most gifted musical artists of all time. She will always be my favourite female singer.
@mrviclamb6819
My first wife died after we were married 23 1/2 years. She was only 43 years old after fighting four brain surgeries over a period of 16 years. I was at her side when she died. She requested this song by Kris to be played at her funeral. It was played and then silence in the church. So sad.
@partsbill2003
Wow...was your wife mad at you all?
@joec4844
I’m so sorry for your loss. Truly.
@mrviclamb6819
@@joec4844 Thank you.
@mrviclamb6819
@@AnimalLover4ever1970 thank you
@Kazmajol
I have this on vinyl it’s a great record. Last night this song grabbed me and i just played it over and over, weeping, and i was wondering who it was he was mourning. I learned the answer from the comments here. Knowing the story behind it only makes it more profoundly sad.
@sourneylinnane4221
That I want for my funeral service!!
It's out there now PLEASE, if my family don't agree! PLEASE
SOMEONE MAKE SURE THIS IS PART OF MY FUNERAL SERVICE
Sourney xxxx in Ireland
@hectorleonardosonco5097
Pray for him at this sad moments ...
@georgebrown8312
What a poignant, heart-wrenching tribute to a musician who died of a drug overdose. That musician was Janis Joplin.