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
Help Me Make It Throught the Night
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shake it loose and let it fall
Layin' soft upon my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early mornin' light
All I'm takin' is your time
I don't care who's right or wrong
I don't try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
Lord tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight
And it's sad to be alone
The song Help Me Make It Through the Night by Kris Kristofferson is about seeking comfort and companionship, even if it’s only for a short while. The singer is asking their partner to forget about everything else around them and to just be in the moment with them. ‘Take the ribbon from your hair, shake it loose and let it fall, layin’ soft upon my skin like the shadows on the wall’ is a powerful way of envisioning the scene, it’s intimate and sensual. They want their partner to come closer and for them to forget about everything else around them.
The singer is also in a vulnerable state, as they say, ‘let the devil take tomorrow, Lord tonight I need a friend’. They don’t want to deal with the problems of tomorrow or wait for a brighter future, all they want is someone to be there for them in that moment. The song expresses the idea that sometimes, all you need is someone to help you make it through the night. The lyrics are poignant and speak to the human need for connection and comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the ribbon from your hair
Remove the decoration from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Unleash your hair from the ribbon and let it lay free
Layin' soft upon my skin
The hair resting lightly and subtly on my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Similar to the shadows being cast on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Approach and rest at my side
Till the early mornin' light
Remaining until the early hours of dawn
All I'm takin' is your time
All I request is for you to spend time with me
Help me make it through the night
Assist and support me to survive the night
I don't care who's right or wrong
I am unconcerned with being correct or incorrect
I don't try to understand
I do not attempt to comprehend
Let the devil take tomorrow
Allow fate to rule tomorrow
Lord tonight I need a friend
My need for a companion is urgent, Lord
Yesterday is dead and gone
Yesterday is done and dusted
And tomorrow's out of sight
And tomorrow is unknown
And it's sad to be alone
Being alone is depressing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tongnampaek
Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Layin' soft upon my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early mornin' light
All I'm takin' is your time
Help me make it through the night
I don't care who's right or wrong
I don't try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
Lord tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight
And it's sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
.
.
.
.
@tomennis7414
Im a recovering alcoholic,been sober the past nine years,and this song help me through many a night..God bless❤
@plasteredbastard
Doesn't matter what corner of popular music you get an opinion on KKs songwriting brilliance, you hear it the same way, he's one of a kind and the lyrics have their own soul to them.
@walterprill5280
Ft
@tongnampaek
Take the ribbon from your hair
Shake it loose and let it fall
Layin' soft upon my skin
Like the shadows on the wall
Come and lay down by my side
Till the early mornin' light
All I'm takin' is your time
Help me make it through the night
I don't care who's right or wrong
I don't try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
Lord tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight
And it's sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
.
.
.
.
@mattmorris1057
Startin’ to run out, fuckin’ Santa Jesus God
@mariebaldwin2858
❤
@anytimejj
Kris's Help Me Make It Through The Night is a legendary song to me because I started learning American pop songs with this one when I was at the age of 13 in Korea and I currently enjoy playing the melody on my ukulele.
@kindkidbk
This is amazing!
@user-vv1ep1qu1w
The voice of Kris Kristofferson is fascinating. For a long time I am a huge fan of him.^L^
@wynlewis5357
I'm unable to understand why he only had one number 1 song while many other top country artist had 20 - 30 + and even a couple over 40. In my opinion Kris is unsurpassed.