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
Who's To Bless And Who's To Blame
Kris Kristofferson Lyrics
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And a cheater never wins
And if beggars can't be choosers
‘til they're weak and wealthy men
And the old keep getting older
And the young must do the same
And it's never getting better
Who's to bless and who's to blame?
All the cards are on the table
You done laid your money down
Don't complain about your chances, boy
It's the only game in town
And the meaning doesn't matter
Nor the way you play the game
To the winner or the loser
Who's to bless and who's to blame?
Keep your hands above the table
And your backs against the wall
Toss your chips in with your chances, boy
Let ‘em lay the way they fall
For the moral doesn't matter
Broken rules are all the same
To the broken or the breaker
Who's to bless and who's to blame?
Who's to bless and who's to blame?
Kris Kristofferson's song "Who's To Bless And Who's To Blame" uses a series of questions to explore the role of luck and circumstance in determining one's fate. Throughout the song, Kristofferson highlights the various ways that people are constrained by their circumstances, from cheated men to beggars who can't afford to be choosers. He also notes the futility of trying to change one's lot in life, pointing out that both winners and losers face the same questions about who to bless and who to blame.
Kristofferson's lyrics highlight the ways that many people are forced to play a game they can never win. Whether it's due to poverty, age, or other factors outside of their control, many people are at a disadvantage from the start. Kristofferson seems to suggest that blaming individuals for their situation is futile, as the game is rigged from the start.
In the end, "Who's To Bless And Who's To Blame" is a poignant commentary on the role of fate in human life. By pointing out the various ways that people are constrained by their circumstances, Kristofferson encourages listeners to focus on building a more just and equitable society. Rather than punishing individuals for their misfortune, we should work to create systems that give everyone a fair chance to succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
If a cheated man's a loser
A person who has been cheated on is considered to be at a disadvantage and the one who cheated is at an advantage.
And a cheater never wins
Cheating may lead to temporary gains, but in the long run, it never benefits anyone.
And if beggars can't be choosers
People who are in desperate need cannot be too picky about the help they receive.
‘til they're weak and wealthy men
Beggars can only be selective once their situation has improved.
And the old keep getting older
Aging is an inevitable process that affects everyone.
And the young must do the same
Young people will also age and face the same challenges that come with aging.
And it's never getting better
Despite changes and advancements in society, some problems seem to persist or even worsen.
Who's to bless and who's to blame?
It is difficult to determine who deserves praise or blame in a complex and unfair world.
All the cards are on the table
All the information needed to make a decision is available.
You done laid your money down
You have already made a commitment to a particular course of action.
Don't complain about your chances, boy
Do not complain about the circumstances that led to your current situation.
It's the only game in town
This is the only opportunity available at the moment.
And the meaning doesn't matter
The outcome of the situation is more significant than the reason behind it.
Nor the way you play the game
What matters is the result of the game, not the method used to achieve it.
To the winner or the loser
The outcome of the situation affects both the winner and the loser.
Who's to bless and who's to blame?
It is difficult to determine who deserves praise or blame in a complex and unfair world.
Keep your hands above the table
Do not try to cheat or deceive.
And your backs against the wall
You have no other options or alternatives.
Toss your chips in with your chances, boy
Take a risk and commit to a particular course of action.
Let ‘em lay the way they fall
Allow the situation to play out and deal with the consequences accordingly.
For the moral doesn't matter
The right or wrong of a situation is not the main concern.
Broken rules are all the same
Whether you follow the rules or break them, the outcome may be the same.
To the broken or the breaker
Both the victim and the perpetrator of a situation are affected by the outcome.
Who's to bless and who's to blame?
It is difficult to determine who deserves praise or blame in a complex and unfair world.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind