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
Here Comes That Rainbow Again
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The waitress was sweepin' the floor
Two truck-drivers drinkin' their coffee
And two okie-kids by the door
How much are them candies, they asked her
How much have you got, she replied
We've only a penny between us
Chorus:
And the daylight grew heavy with thunder
And the smell of the rain on the wind
Ain't it just like a human
Here comes that rainbow again
One truckdriver called to the waitress
After the kids went outside
Them candies ain't two for a penny
So what's it to you, she replied
In silence they finished their coffee
Got up and nodded godbye
She called, hey, you left too much money
So what's it to you, they replied
Chorus:
And the daylight grew heavy with thunder
And the smell of the rain on the wind
Ain't it just like a human
Here comes that rainbow again
Kris Kristofferson's "Here Comes That Rainbow Again" is a poignant story about the small moments of kindness and dishonesty that make up humanity. The scene takes place in a roadside cafe, where two truck drivers are drinking coffee and two Okie-kids knock on the door. The waitress is sweeping the floor and is asked by the kids how much the candies are. She replies that they are two for a penny, even though they are more expensive. This lie is small and seemingly insignificant. It is one that the kids and the truck drivers might never have noticed.
As the story unfolds, the daylight grows heavy with thunder and the smell of rain is on the wind. The truck driver calls the waitress over and tells her that the candies are not two for a penny. When she replies that it is none of his business, they finish their coffee in silence and leave. However, as they step outside the cafe, they realise they have left too much money behind. The waitress yells out after them that they have left too much money, but they reply that it is none of her business.
The chorus of the song repeats the line, "Ain't it just like a human, here comes that rainbow again." This lyric can be interpreted in different ways, but it may speak to the cyclical nature of human beings. The rainbow may represent the hope and kindness that we are capable of as humans. However, these moments are fleeting, and we are quick to return to dishonesty and greed.
Line by Line Meaning
The scene was a small roadside cafe
The setting of the story was at a humble store found on the side of the road.
The waitress was sweepin' the floor
A waitress was doing her job of cleaning the floor of the cafe.
Two truck-drivers drinkin' their coffee
There were two men driving trucks having a cup of coffee.
And two okie-kids by the door
Two children from Oklahoma were sitting near the entrance of the store.
How much are them candies, they asked her
The kids asked the waitress how much do the candies cost.
How much have you got, she replied
The waitress replied with a question on how much money they have.
We've only a penny between us, Them's two for a penny, she lied
The kids only had a penny for their candies, yet the waitress lied and said that two pieces were worth a penny so they can afford it.
And the daylight grew heavy with thunder
The day became dark and heavy with the sound of thunder in the background.
And the smell of the rain on the wind
The air brought with it the distinct smell of rain on the way.
Ain't it just like a human
This situation is like the reality of human behavior.
Here comes that rainbow again
A rainbow appears, symbolizing the beauty of life that comes after the storm is over.
One truckdriver called to the waitress
One of the truck drivers called the waitress for her attention.
After the kids went outside
This happened after the kids had gone outside.
Them candies ain't two for a penny
The truck driver corrected the waitress that the candies were not actually two for a penny.
So what's it to you, she replied
The waitress answered back defensively, asking why the truck driver cared.
In silence they finished their coffee
The two truck drivers finished their coffee quietly.
Got up and nodded godbye
The truck drivers stood up and said goodbye.
She called, hey, you left too much money
The waitress called out to the truck drivers, informing them that they left too much money for their bill.
So what's it to you, they replied
The truck drivers brushed it off and told her to keep the extra money, not minding it too much.
And the daylight grew heavy with thunder
The sky above them became dark once again with the sound of thunder.
And the smell of the rain on the wind
The aroma of the rain is still filling the air.
Ain't it just like a human
They can't help but notice how this behavior is just like a typical human.
Here comes that rainbow again
Once again, a rainbow is seen shining in the distance, a sign of hope and happiness despite the situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nerissa Tan Aban
The scene was a small roadside cafe
The waitress was sweepin' the floor
Two truck drivers drinkin' their coffee
And two okie kids by the door
How much are them candies, they asked her
How much have you got, she replied
We've only a penny between us
Them's two for a penny, she lied
And the daylight grew heavy with thunder
And the smell of the rain on the wind
Ain't it just like a human
Here comes that rainbow again
One truck driver called to the waitress
After the kids went outside
Them candies ain't two for a penny
So what's it to you, she replied
In silence they finished their coffee
Got up and nodded goodbye
She called, hey, you left too much money
So what's it to you, they replied
And the daylight grew heavy with thunder
And the smell of the rain on the wind
Ain't it just like a human
Here comes that rainbow again
Read more: Kris Kristofferson - Here Comes That Rainbow Again Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Ann Maguire
There will never be another Kris, his songs are from the heart. He is truly the poet of our time.
Etienne de Vignolles
There's nobody to beat him!
Savanah Mclary
A Visual Story teller.
Michael Hughes
June 22, 2020 - Happy birthday Mr. Krisofferson - 84 years old today! Thank you for so many heartfelt songs.
Etienne de Vignolles
KK is my #1 hero. :)
Jesus explains ...
@Xine999 In 2017 I was inspired to write a poem/song that began, “I’d rather hear this old frog sing out his songs with soul, Than to hear some perfectionist play empty rich n roll.” Well, by a miracle, Kris’ manger found out about the poem and requested my permission to show it to Kris. A few weeks later, I got a phone call from Lisa, Kris’ wife. Kris was sleeping in the back of their bus, but he’d asked Lisa to call and let me know how encouraging the poem was to him. Miracles do happen!
Xine999
@Jesus explains ... that "croak" speaks of life, experience, pain, joy, self-reflection, human empathy..., doesn't it?
Elizabeth Wightman
Great 👍🏼 FAN BLESSING!
Michelle Cahill
Always puts his heart and soul into his songs! Been in love with him since I was a kid. Happy Birthday and God Bless Kris Kristofferson!!!
Mark Bridges
Man what a beautiful song by probably the greatest songwriter of ANY period of time! John Prine is a very close second if not neck and neck with him. They both can bring me to tears equally. Damnitt man!