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
Feeling Mortal
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At this moment in the dream
That old man there in the mirror
And my shaky self-esteem
Here today and gone tomorrow
That’s the way it’s got to be
With an empty blue horizon
[Chorus]
God Almighty here I am
Am I where I ought to be
I’ve begun to soon descend
Like the sun into the sea
And I thank my lucky stars
From here to eternity
For the artist that you are
And the man you made of me
Pretty speeches still unspoken
Perfect circles in the sand
Rules and promises I’ve broken
That I still don’t understand
Soon or later I’ll be leaving
I’m a winner either way
For the laughter and the loving
That I’m living with today
[Chorus]
Wide awake and feeling mortal
Kris Kristofferson's song "Feeling Mortal" explores a sense of nostalgia and reflection on one's life as they age. The opening lines, "Wide awake and feeling mortal, at this moment in the dream," set the tone for the rest of the song as Kristofferson ponders the fleeting nature of life. He looks in the mirror and sees an old man, which causes him to question his self-esteem and wonder if he has lived his life to the fullest.
Despite this sense of uncertainty, Kristofferson recognizes the beauty of life and expresses gratitude for the experiences he has had. He acknowledges that life is temporary, but finds solace in the love and laughter he has experienced in his current moment. Ultimately, the song is a meditation on the passing of time, the inevitability of death, and finding meaning in one's life.
Overall, "Feeling Mortal" is a poignant and reflective song that explores themes of mortality, aging, and the passage of time. Kristofferson's raw and honest lyrics paint a picture of someone who is grappling with the end of their life, but finding beauty in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Wide awake and feeling mortal
Fully conscious and keenly aware of the inevitability of my own mortality
At this moment in the dream
Despite feeling awake, this life can still seem like a fleeting dream
That old man there in the mirror
The aging reflection staring back at me, reminding me of the passage of time
And my shaky self-esteem
My lack of confidence and insecurity in my own abilities
Here today and gone tomorrow
Life is brief and unpredictable
That’s the way it’s got to be
Accepting the fleeting nature of life
With an empty blue horizon
A sense of vast emptiness and uncertainty ahead
For as far as I can see
As far as my eyes can perceive
God Almighty here I am
Addressing a higher power and questioning my place in the universe
Am I where I ought to be
Striving for a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life
I’ve begun to soon descend
Acknowledging the start of the decline towards death
Like the sun into the sea
A metaphor for the finality of death
And I thank my lucky stars
Expressing gratitude for life and its experiences
From here to eternity
From now until the infinite future
For the artist that you are
Acknowledging a higher power as the creator of life
And the man you made of me
Grateful for the person I have become in this lifetime
Pretty speeches still unspoken
The regret for missed opportunities to express oneself
Perfect circles in the sand
The quest for perfection in life, which is ultimately futile and fleeting
Rules and promises I’ve broken
Admitting to the mistakes and shortcomings in life
That I still don’t understand
Despite acknowledging mistakes, the reasons for them still elude me
Soon or later I’ll be leaving
Acknowledging the inevitability of death
I’m a winner either way
Viewing life as a journey rather than a destination, and finding pride in the experiences along the way
For the laughter and the loving
Grateful for the happiness and love experienced in life
That I’m living with today
Finding joy and contentment in the present moment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miss Farr
Sing it Kris!! No matter what, your words and voice sing through my soul and make me smile. God Bless You!! xo
Robert Worcester
Really love this song. I like his voice more now than when he was young. Voice is craggy and he struggles with higher notes but the emotion in his voice is amazing. Heard him do this live on Willies Roadhouse. Fell in Lo
Brett Bowdring
Probably one of the most underrated songwriter ever Kris is amazing
curbshoppin
Kris is one of my musical hero's, I'm feeling mortal too
Brian Byrne
oh god i never get sick of hearing him.any song will do
Melody Fisher
Love this sweet performance. Such a dear man.
B379
Reminds me of my dad, never missed a day of work in his life. Broke the mold when they made him.Never said a bad thing about anyone. I miss him.
Very few regrets he had.
Timberbanktunes
Great new CD (as was the last two). Each of them have great tunes and perspectives from a wise and elder statesman. Still got my ticket stub from the April 14th 1987 concert Kris did in Toronto (with Blue Rodeo opening for him). I think I am over-due to see him again.
Donna Sinko
Henry Raab I've been a fan since the early '70s when I heard him do "Me and Bobby McGee" on PBS. He feels like an old friend whose songs have helped me through some pretty difficult times. Like Kris, I too am feeling mortal these day.
Robert Worcester
Fellin love with the song straight away.