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
Tell Me One More Time
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've acquired a taste for living
Just when I was close to giving up the ghost
And I be what I believe
About as often as I can be
And I maybe can be oftener than most
Is the chances you'll be taking
With a heart that you'll be breaking if you lose
Well I can't tell you how to take it girl
I know you know the answers darling
Tell me one more time before you choose
Chorus
Did you feel a little lightning
Did you feel a little thunder
That was barely running under your control
Was it just a little frightening
As you stared into the wonder
Of the deep and starry splendor of your soul
I won't be surprised to see you
Heading down the highway
Just like every dream
I never seen come true
Look for me to go on living
If you're loving me or leaving darling
Tell me one more time before you do
Repeat Chorus
Did you feel a little lightning
Did you feel a little thunder
That was barely running under your control
Was it just a little frightening
When you stared into the wonder
Of the deep and starry splendor of your soul
The lyrics in Kris Kristofferson's song "Tell Me One More Time" speak of forgiveness and living life to the fullest. The opening lines show a sense of relief, "Girl, I guess I've been forgiven, I've acquired a taste for living, just when I was close to giving up the ghost." Here, he speaks about how he was close to giving up on life and was forgiven for whatever he did, indicating some form of redemption. He then talks further about his beliefs, "And I be what I believe, about as often as I can be, and I maybe can be oftener than most," implying that he holds onto his faith regardless of how often he feels its loss.
The second half of the verse speaks about the chances he's taken, hoping he doesn't break the heart of the person he loves. The line "I know you know the answers darling, tell me one more time before you choose," points to the fact that they might be going their separate ways. The chorus seeks to capture the emotions of the relationship's final days. The lines "Did you feel a little lightning, Did you feel a little thunder" try to capture the moments of passion and attraction that they shared, even when things were falling apart. And the last two lines, "Of the deep and starry splendor of your soul," paint a beautiful picture of his lover's unique beauty.
In the second verse, he alludes to the fact that the lover might leave him. "I won't be surprised to see you heading down the highway, just like every dream, I never seen come true." He also acknowledges the possibility of the lover staying. "Look for me to go on living, If you're loving me or leaving darling, Tell me one more time before you do." In essence, this song is about the realization of the end of a relationship and the realization that he has to move forward with or without his lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, I guess I've been forgiven
I believe that I have been pardoned from my past actions.
I've acquired a taste for living
I've realized the value in life and enjoy it now.
Just when I was close to giving up the ghost
When everything seemed hopeless and I was about to give up.
And I be what I believe
I act on what I believe in.
About as often as I can be
As much as possible.
And I maybe can be oftener than most
I may be able to do it more than others.
And if the best I have to offer
If the greatest thing I can give you is...
Is the chances you'll be taking
The possibility that you'll be taking a risk...
With a heart that you'll be breaking if you lose
And with a heart that will be shattered if you lose.
Well I can't tell you how to take it girl
I can't advise you on what to do, my dear.
I know you know the answers darling
I believe you already know what you should do, my love.
Tell me one more time before you choose
Please tell me your decision one more time before you decide.
Did you feel a little lightning
Did you feel a spark of inspiration?
Did you feel a little thunder
Did you feel a rumble of excitement?
That was barely running under your control
That was almost beyond your control.
Was it just a little frightening
Was it a bit scary?
As you stared into the wonder
As you looked at the awe-inspiring sight.
Of the deep and starry splendor of your soul
Of the amazing and beautiful depths of your inner self.
I won't be surprised to see you
I won't be shocked if you...
Heading down the highway
Go off and pursue your journey/destination.
Just like every dream
Just like every desire...
I never seen come true
That never manifested into a reality.
Look for me to go on living
Expect me to keep on living...
If you're loving me or leaving darling
Whether you continue to love or leave me, my love..
Tell me one more time before you do
Please tell me your decision one last time before you do it.
Contributed by Jasmine O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.