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
The Eagle & The Bear
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up against an eagle or a bear
And I will help my brother and we'll sink or swim together
And if you don't like it mister I don't care
'Cause I have served with honor in the army
I have seen a soldier overseas
I have seen my Fatherland stagger like a dying man
And I ain't gonna take it any longer
I can't look around it anymore
I'll defend what I believe in a land of liberty
Like my father did before
(Chorus:)
And I'll just pray to God for Nicaragua
And the sorrow of El Salvador today
And I'll say until the day we free Mandela
All the World will be in chains
These lyrics from Kris Kristofferson’s song, The Eagle & The Bear, are about the singer’s unwavering commitment to fighting for freedom, no matter the cost. He compares himself to an eagle or a bear, powerful animals who will fight to the death to defend their territory. Kristofferson states that he will help his brothers in arms, and they will either succeed or fail together. He is unapologetic in his stance, stating that he doesn't care what others think of him.
The songwriter then goes on to talk about his own military service, both at home and overseas. He has witnessed the devastation of war and the impact of disease on his country. With this knowledge in mind, he claims that he "can't take it any longer." Kristofferson is determined to defend his beliefs and his country's ideals in a land of liberty, much like his own father did before him.
The chorus of the song mentions several global issues that were prevalent at the time the song was released. Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Nelson Mandela's imprisonment in South Africa were all major global concerns for many Americans in the 1980s. Kristofferson makes a powerful claim that "all the world will be in chains" until these issues are resolved, highlighting the vital importance of freedom and justice for all.
Line by Line Meaning
I will fight and I will die for Freedom
I am willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of Freedom
Up against an eagle or a bear
I am prepared to face any opposition, no matter how strong
And I will help my brother and we'll sink or swim together
I am committed to standing together with my fellow man, whether in success or failure
And if you don't like it mister I don't care
I am steadfast in my beliefs, and do not care if others oppose them
'Cause I have served with honor in the army
I have served my country with honor and distinction
I have seen a soldier overseas
I have witnessed the struggles of soldiers overseas
I have seen my Fatherland stagger like a dying man
I have witnessed my country's decline and desperation
Blinded and bewildered by disease
My country has been weakened by disease and confusion
And I ain't gonna take it any longer
I refuse to tolerate this state of affairs any longer
I can't look around it anymore
I can no longer ignore the problems that surround us
I'll defend what I believe in a land of liberty
I will defend my beliefs in a country built on freedom
Like my father did before
Just as my father stood for his beliefs, so will I
(Chorus:)
Refrain
And I'll just pray to God for Nicaragua
I will offer my prayers and support for the people of Nicaragua
And the sorrow of El Salvador today
I recognize and feel the grief of the people of El Salvador during these troubling times
And I'll say until the day we free Mandela
I will continue to advocate for the release of Mandela from prison
All the World will be in chains
So long as Mandela remains imprisoned, the world will suffer under the chains of oppression
Contributed by Max O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.