kris kristofferson
It takes only 120 seconds to perform this song, making it one of the tightest hits ever recorded by anybody. The first recording was made by Kris himself, October 1969, for his debut album "Kristofferson", but Percy Sledge released it first as a single in May 1970. June 2025 I counted 539 covers and 43 adaptations!
Nobody can be so lonesome, or give the loneliness a more lonelier voice. I got it from a nasty small record shop in the ugly subterranians of the incredible disgusting town called Oslo ... in 1972. Even the LP cover was shit, and I had few expectations about the content, except for finding out who that recurring signature "Kristofferson" on various labels really was. Fortunately, I was wrong. This song, as the rest of the album, has followed me for more than 50 years now. It still will, until I'm gone.
take the ribbon from your hair
shake it loose and let it fall
laying soft upon my skin
like the shadows on the wall
come and lay down by my side
in the early morning light
all I'm taking is your time
help me make it through the night
I don't care who's right or wrong
I don't try to understand
let the devil take tomorrow
Lord tonight I need a friend
yesterday is dead and gone
and tomorrow's out of sight
and it's sad to be alone
help me make it through the night
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
A ...Asus4...A take the ribbon from your hair A A7 D D9 Bm shake it loose and let it fall Bm7 E E6 E7 laying soft upon my skin E7 A Asus4 A like the shadows on the wall A ...Asus4...A come and lay down by my side A7 D D9 Bm in the early morning light Bm7 E E6 E7 all I'm taking is your time E7 A Asus4 A7 help me make it through the night A7 D I don't care who's right or wrong D A I don't try to understand A7 Bm7 B7 let the devil take tomorrow B7 E E6 E7 ... Lord tonight I need a friend
