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
Please Don
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We may never pass this way again
Just let me enjoy 'till its over
Or forever
Please don't tell me how the story ends
See the way our shadows come together
Softer than your fingers on my skin
That we'll remember
Of each other
Please don't tell me how the story ends
Never's just the echo of forever
Lonesome as the love that might have been
Just let me go on loving and believing
'Till it's over
Please don't tell me how the story ends
Please don't tell me how the story ends
The lyrics of Kris Kristofferson's song Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends express the desire to revel in the moment and avoid facing reality, the inevitability of the end of an affair. He is aware that this could be their last night together and does not want to be reminded of that fact. He beseeches his lover not to tell him how the story would end.
Kristofferson paints a vivid picture of the moment, describing the way their shadows merge and meld, emphasizing the intimacy of the moment. He recognizes that they may only hold on to the memory of each other, and the present, joyful experience may be all that they remember in the future. The sentiment is melancholy, but the melody is hauntingly beautiful, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of the song.
The chorus repeatedly drives home the central idea, with Kristofferson begging to hold on to the moment, to continue to believe in the love that he shares with his partner until the end. The idea of 'never' being just the echo of 'forever' adds a sense of tragedy, a reminder of what might have been but will never be.
Line by Line Meaning
This could be our last goodnight together
This moment might be the last time we see each other at night
We may never pass this way again
We might not cross paths again
Just let me enjoy 'till its over or forever
Allow me to relish this moment for as long as it lasts, maybe even forever
Please don't tell me how the story ends
Please don't ruin the moment by reminding me that it will eventually come to an end
See the way our shadows come together
Observe how our silhouettes entwine
Softer than your fingers on my skin
Our shadows merging is gentler than the feeling of your caress on my skin
Someday this may be all that we'll remember of each other
In the future, this moment might be all we recall of our time together
Never's just the echo of forever
The idea of 'never' is just a faint reflection of 'forever'
Lonesome as the love that might have been
The love that could have been is a desolate and solitary notion
Just let me go on loving and believing 'till it's over
Allow me to keep loving and having faith until the end comes
Please don't tell me how the story ends
Please don't be the one to spoil the moment by reminding me that it will eventually conclude
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
amaezyng
Kris has my favorite voice!!
Billy Dixon
Kris Kristofferson is the greatest songwriter of our time
Cal Wolfe
Don't forget John Prine
CocoPink44
This is so beautiful. Love him!
DoubleJ1203
Never's just the echo of forever.... Poetry right there.
Kass
OH that voice!!
Caronaborealis
Love this song and I'm wondering who this beautiful Guitar played.
Mary Shaw
Thank you for uploading. Been a fan for as long as I can remember and that is a very long time.
Eric Ray
Brilliant!
TC Smith
First found Kris's songs in the 60's but didn't know they were his. Then saw him on the Johnny Cash show. Kris is one of the reasons I look at credits, for writers... Go find some old Country Joe McDonald... he and Kris both wrote songs for Janis