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
Okie From Muskogee
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
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All we ever drops are BVD's
We don't known no hippies, queers or commies
'Cause we like livin' right and bein' free
And I'm proud to be an okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave old glory down at the courthouse
We do lots of lovin' in Muskogee
We ain't never heard of pitchin' woo
We don't shoot that deadly marijuana
We get drunk like God wants us to do
And I'm proud to be an okie from Muskogee
A place where even squares can have a ball
We still wave old glory down at the courthouse
And white ligthnin's still the biggest thrill of all
Kris Kristofferson's song "Okie From Muskogee" is a classic country tune that is both a celebration of small-town life in rural America and a critique of the broader changes occurring in the country during the turbulent 1960s. The song directly contrasts the values of the small town of Muskogee, Oklahoma with the countercultural values of the time. Kristofferson paints a picture of Muskogee as a picturesque small town where traditional American values still hold strong. He sings about the simple pleasures of life in Muskogee, such as getting drunk on moonshine and going to church on Sundays. He also highlights the fact that Muskogee values freedom but rejects the lifestyle of the hippie movement that glorified marijuana and free love.
Line by Line Meaning
We don't smoke our draft cards in Muskogee
We don't burn or destroy our military draft cards here in Muskogee as a form of protest against the Vietnam War or any war for that matter.
All we ever drops are BVD's
We only drop our underwear, specifically BVD brand, and not any litter or garbage on the streets of Muskogee.
We don't known no hippies, queers or commies
We do not associate with or acknowledge the existence of hippies, homosexuals, or communists in Muskogee as we believe their lifestyles and ideologies are contrary to our values and beliefs.
'Cause we like livin' right and bein' free
We prefer to live our lives morally and responsibly, while still exercising our right to freedom and liberty.
And I'm proud to be an okie from Muskogee
As a resident of Muskogee, I take pride in the values and lifestyle of our community.
A place where even squares can have a ball
Muskogee is a town where even those who are considered old-fashioned or conservative can still enjoy themselves and have fun.
We still wave old glory down at the courthouse
We continue to proudly display and honor the American flag at our local courthouse as a symbol of our patriotism and respect for our country.
And white lightnin's still the biggest thrill of all
Moonshine, or homemade alcohol, remains the most exciting and thrilling illegal substance of choice in Muskogee.
We do lots of lovin' in Muskogee
We enjoy and engage in romantic and sexual relationships frequently in Muskogee.
We ain't never heard of pitchin' woo
We do not engage in flirtatious or seductive behavior to pursue romantic interests, as we find it insincere and disingenuous.
We don't shoot that deadly marijuana
We do not consume or use marijuana, as we believe it is a dangerous and harmful drug that can cause negative effects on our health and well-being.
We get drunk like God wants us to do
While we do not condone excessive or irresponsible drinking, we do not see moderate alcohol consumption as a sin or immoral act, but rather a harmless form of enjoyment and relaxation.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Merle Haggard, Roy Burris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind