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 Pilgrim
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I strong enough to get down on my knees and pray?
And am I high enough on the chain of evolution
To respect myself, and my brother and my sister
And perfect myself in my own peculiar way?
I get lazy, and forget my obligations
I'd go crazy if I paid attention all the time
On this holy road through the universal mind
I get lazy, and forget my obligations
I'd go crazy if I paid attention all the time
And I want justice, but I'll settle for some mercy
On this holy road through the universal mind
Am I young enough to believe in revolution?
Am I strong enough to get down on my knees and pray?
And am I high enough on the chain of evolution
To respect myself, and my brother and my sister
And perfect myself in my own peculiar way?
I got lucky: I got everything I wanted
I got happy; there wasn't nothing else to do
And I'd be crazy not to wonder if I'm worthy
Of the part I play in this dream that's coming true
Am I young enough to believe in revolution?
Am I strong enough to get down on my knees and pray?
And am I high enough on the chain of evolution
To respect myself, and my brother and my sister
And perfect myself in my own peculiar way?
The lyrics of Kris Kristofferson’s “The Pilgrim” pose a series of introspective questions about one’s faith in revolution, personal strength, and moral standards. The phrase “young enough to believe in revolution” reveals the desire for social, political, and moral progress in society. At the same time, “strong enough to get down on my knees and pray” suggests the need for deeper faith and spiritual strength. The question “am I high enough on the chain of evolution to respect myself, and my brother, and my sister” portrays the need for self-worth and the need to view others as equals deserving of respect.
The phrase “perfect myself in my own peculiar way” highlights the importance of individuality in the journey of self-discovery. The repetition of “I get lazy and forget my obligations” followed by “I’d go crazy if I paid attention all the time” illustrates the struggle to stay focused on one’s responsibilities while juggling the ups and downs of everyday life. The desire for justice is evident throughout the song, yet the need for mercy becomes the more realistic option for navigating the troubles of “this holy road through the universal mind.”
Overall, Kristofferson invites listeners to reflect on the complexities of personal growth, the pursuit of justice, and spiritual evolution. The song depicts the journey of self-discovery as a winding path, full of questions and uncertainties.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I young enough to believe in revolution?
Do I still have the hope and passion to fight for change?
Am I strong enough to get down on my knees and pray?
Do I have the strength and faith to ask for help and guidance?
And am I high enough on the chain of evolution
Have I evolved enough to understand my place in the world?
To respect myself, and my brother and my sister
To have the empathy and compassion to understand and care for others?
And perfect myself in my own peculiar way?
Can I strive to be the best version of myself, in my own unique and authentic way?
I get lazy, and forget my obligations
Sometimes I slack off and neglect my responsibilities
I'd go crazy if I paid attention all the time
If I was always aware of what's going on, I would lose my mind.
And I want justice, but I'll settle for some mercy
I desire fairness, but I'm willing to accept kindness when justice is not possible
On this holy road through the universal mind
On this sacred journey through the collective consciousness
I got lucky: I got everything I wanted
I am fortunate and grateful to have achieved my goals
I got happy; there wasn't nothing else to do
I found joy and contentment, with no need for anything else
And I'd be crazy not to wonder if I'm worthy
It's natural to question my own worthiness
Of the part I play in this dream that's coming true
In the role I have in this seemingly impossible reality that is unfolding before me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans,
Wearin' yesterday's misfortunes like a smile--
Once he had a future full of money, love, and dreams,
Which he spent like they was goin' outta style--
And he keeps right on a'changin' for the better or the worse,
Searchin' for a shrine he's never found--
Never knowin' if believin' is a blessin' or a curse,
Or if the goin' up was worth the comin' down--
He's a poet, he's a picker--
He's a prophet, he's a pusher--
He's a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he's stoned--
He's a walkin' contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction,
Takin' ev'ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home.
He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars,
And he's traded in tomorrow for today--
Runnin' from his devils, lord, and reachin' for the stars,
And losin' all he's loved along the way--
But if this world keeps right on turnin' for the better or the worse,
And all he ever gets is older and around--
>from the rockin' of the cradle to the rollin' of the hearse,
The goin' up was worth the comin' down--
He's a poet, he's a picker--
He's a prophet, he's a pusher--
He's a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he's stoned--
He's a walkin' contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction,
Takin' ev'ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home.
There's a lotta wrong directions on that lonely way back home.
@MrSirDrew
Lyrics
See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans,
Wearin' yesterday's misfortunes like a smile
Once he had a future full of money, love, and dreams,
Which he spent like they was goin' outta style
And he keeps right on a'changin' for the better or the worse,
Searchin' for a shrine he's never found
Never knowin' if believin' is a blessin' or a curse,
Or if the goin' up was worth the comin' down
He's a poet, he's a picker
He's a prophet, he's a pusher
He's a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he's stoned
He's a walkin' contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction,
Takin' ev'ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home.
He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars,
And he's traded in tomorrow for today
Runnin' from his devils, lord, and reachin' for the stars,
And losin' all he's loved along the way
But if this world keeps right on turnin' for the better or the worse,
And all he ever gets is older and around
>from the rockin' of the cradle to the rollin' of the hearse,
The goin' up was worth the comin' down
He's a poet, he's a picker
He's a prophet, he's a pusher
He's a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he's stoned
He's a walkin' contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction,
Takin' ev'ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home.
There's a lotta wrong directions on that lonely way back home.
@JoeySinko
"I'm no pusher, I never have pushed." Travis B.
@j.clementec.m.1558
"No no, just the part about the walking contradiction"
-Betsy
@Guywhoselifeisshit
@@j.clementec.m.1558 i am not theonly onw who is here after taxi driver lol
@comanchedase
You beat me for about 10 years
@JoeySinko
@@comanchedase 😝
@comanchedase
@@JoeySinko hehehe I got to get organizized
@nanagaga2001
"he's a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction" one of my all time favourite lines in any song
@brianyoung3
Amen, aren't we all
@qsprimalaccuracy9709
Taxi Driver
@NoticerOfficial
From the rockin of the cradle
to the rollin of the hearse…
the going up was worth the coming down.