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 Law Is for Protection of the People
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone said he stumbled and he fell
Six squad cars came screaming to the rescue
Hauled old billy dalton off to jail
'cause the law is for protection of the people
Rules are rules and any fool can see
We don't need no drunks like billy dalton
Charlie watson wandered like a stranger
Showing he had no means of support
Police man took one look at his pants cuffs
Hustled charlie watson off to court.
'cause the law is for protection of the people
Rules are rules and any fool can see
We don't need no bums like charlie watson
Scarin' decent folks like you and me, no siree.
Homer lee hunnicut was nothing but a hippy
Walking thru this world without a care
Then one day, six strapping brave policeman
Held down homer lee and cut his hair
'cause the law is for protection of the people
Rules are rules and any foola can see
We don't need no hairy headed hippies
Scarin' decent folks like you and me, no siree
So thank your lucky stars you've got protection
Walk the line, and never mind the cost
And don't wonder who them lawmen was protecting
When they nailed the savior to the cross.
'cause the law is for protection of the people
Rules are rules and any fool can see
We don't need no riddle speaking prophets
Scarin' decent folks like you and me, no siree.
Kris Kristofferson’s “The Law Is for Protection of the People” is a song that critiques the actions of law enforcement officials who use their power and authority to enforce rules and maintain order. The lyrics describe three scenarios where individuals are arrested and taken into custody for seemingly simple or harmless actions. The first scenario follows Billy Dalton, who stumbles on the sidewalk and is taken to jail for being a drunk. The second involves Charlie Watson, a man without means, who is arrested for looking like a bum with worn-out pants cuffs. The third scenario is about Homer Lee Hunnicut, a hippy who is held down by six policemen and forced to have his hair cut.
Kristofferson’s overall message is that the law should serve to protect people, but in these particular cases, the law enforcement officials use excessive power and misinterpret their role as protectors of the people. The song highlights the societal problems arising from the misuse of power by law enforcement officials, who enforce rules that are often subject to bias, discrimination, and arbitrary implementation. It showcases how individuals with little to no power are vulnerable to being targeted by those who wield power, and how this power is often unjustly used.
Overall, Kris Kristofferson’s “The Law Is for Protection of the People” is a powerful critique of the misuse of power by those in positions of authority. It calls attention to the unfair treatment of people who are unable to fight back against the law enforcement officials who enforce the rules. The song highlights the familiar conflicts between those who enforce the law and those who are subject to its authority.
Line by Line Meaning
Billy dalton staggered on the sidewalk
Billy Dalton was drunk and unsteady on the sidewalk
Someone said he stumbled and he fell
A witness reported that Billy was stumbling and fell
Six squad cars came screaming to the rescue
Six police cars quickly arrived at the scene
Hauled old Billy Dalton off to jail
Billy Dalton was arrested and taken to jail
'cause the law is for protection of the people
The reason for Billy's arrest was that the law is meant to protect people
Rules are rules and any fool can see
The rules are clear and anyone can understand them
We don't need no drunks like Billy Dalton
The society does not need drunken people like Billy Dalton
Scarin' decent folks like you and me, no siree
Because they scare law-abiding citizens like us
Charlie Watson wandered like a stranger
Charlie Watson was wandering aimlessly like a stranger
Showing he had no means of support
He seemed like he had no means of financial support
Police man took one look at his pants cuffs
A police officer noticed something suspicious about Charlie's pants cuffs
Hustled Charlie Watson off to court.
Charlie Watson was arrested and taken to court by the police officer
We don't need no bums like Charlie Watson
The society does not need homeless people like Charlie Watson
Homer Lee Hunnicut was nothing but a hippy
Homer Lee Hunnicut was a hippie who lived without a care in the world
Walking thru this world without a care
He was wandering aimlessly without any worries
Then one day, six strapping brave policeman
Then one day, six strong and brave policemen
Held down Homer Lee and cut his hair
They held down Homer Lee and forcibly cut his long hair
We don't need no hairy headed hippies
The society does not need hippies with long hair
So thank your lucky stars you've got protection
Be grateful that you have protection under the law
Walk the line, and never mind the cost
Follow the rules and don't worry about the consequences
And don't wonder who the lawmen was protecting
Don't question who the police were protecting
When they nailed the savior to the cross.
Referring to Jesus Christ who was crucified by law enforcement with the justification of maintaining order.
We don't need no riddle speaking prophets
The society does not need prophets who speak in riddles and confuse people
Scarin' decent folks like you and me, no siree.
Because they scare law-abiding citizens like us
Contributed by Logan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@samcyphers2902
Hard to believe at one point country music spoke truth to power, instead of propping up the status quo.
@leeragan7033
I sang this in a Wednesday night bible study once at a Baptist church. True story.
@andrewbarry6702
I hope you still study the Good news
@misternull4753
Blessed
@SamwiseOutdoors
"Where there is authority, there is no freedom." - Peter Kropotkin.
@SeanKL107
I’ve listened to this song over 1,312 times
@idicula1979
If you believe George Floyd is because of a drug overdose, this song is not for you, I SAY IT NOT FOR YOU.
@neighborhoodmusicsnob5517
He had done crimes in the past and was an active community member trying to help people not go down the same path and make the same mistakes he did in the past. There's no natural tendency to be a thief that persists throughout life...though conservatives and liberals alike will say otherwise especially concerning black people.
@vonbeedle554
@@Ricks90 oh no our precious ciggies!
@patrickg420
this song has even more meaning today than it did back in the 70s!