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
Living Legend
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
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Were we better men than we'd ever been before?
Say, if she came again today, would you still answer to the call?
Tell the truth, my friend, don't it matter anymore?
We were simple men by her side when she was born
It was simple then like the freedom when you fall
And we were smaller then, you see, but soon we gathered like a storm.
They don't understand what that thunder meant at all.
Are you satisfied that he'll never ride again?
Some people say he got away; they say he never died at all.
If that story's true, does it bother you, my friend?
Was it bitter then, with our backs against the wall?
Were we better men than we'd ever been before?
Say, if she came again today, would you still answer to the call?
Tell the truth, my friend, don't it matter anymore?
The lyrics of "Living Legend" by Kris Kristofferson explore the idea of what it means to be a legend and how memories can distort the truth. The song starts by asking if the past was better than the present when people were facing adversity and whether they were better people back then. The lyrics also question whether past actions still hold meaning today or whether they are just relics of the past. Then, the song shifts to exploring the story of a legendary figure who might have been killed or may have escaped, but the facts are unclear. The singer questions whether the truth matters as much as the idea of the legend itself.
The lyrics of "Living Legend" can be interpreted in many ways, but one clear theme throughout the song is the idea that stories and legends can become more important than reality itself. The song suggests that the idea of a legend can be powerful, and the truth might not matter if the legend is more significant. The lyrics also question what it means to be a legend and how people can become one, exploring whether being a legend is based on actions, stories, or other factors. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener with questions about the nature of legends and how they shape our memories of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Was it bitter then with our backs against the wall?
Did we feel hopeless when we faced difficult times?
Were we better men than we'd ever been before?
Did we find strength and courage in the face of adversity?
Say, if she came again today, would you still answer to the call?
Would we still be willing to fight for what we believe in today?
Tell the truth, my friend, don't it matter anymore?
Isn't it important to be honest about our values and convictions?
We were simple men by her side when she was born
We were there at the beginning of something special
It was simple then like the freedom when you fall
Things were simpler and more natural back then
And we were smaller then, you see, but soon we gathered like a storm
We started small, but quickly grew in strength and numbers
They don't understand what that thunder meant at all
Others didn't understand the significance of our actions
Was he crucified? Was he done in by the lawman?
Did he suffer and die for what he believed in?
Are you satisfied that he'll never ride again?
Are we content with his legacy?
Some people say he got away; they say he never died at all.
There are alternate stories about what happened to him
If that story's true, does it bother you, my friend?
If the true story is different than what we believed, would it affect us?
Was it bitter then, with our backs against the wall?
Did we feel hopeless when we faced difficult times?
Were we better men than we'd ever been before?
Did we find strength and courage in the face of adversity?
Say, if she came again today, would you still answer to the call?
Would we still be willing to fight for what we believe in today?
Tell the truth, my friend, don't it matter anymore?
Isn't it important to be honest about our values and convictions?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind