kris kristofferson • fred foster
Kris has always been best credited as a songwriter. Stumbling into Nashville music industry late sixties, he carried with him a bunch of potential hits. Roger Miller recorded this first, Gordon Lightfoot next, and so on. Finally Janis Joplin captured it. He and Janis dated at that time, but he didn't hear the result until after her death October 4th 1970. It appeared to be one of her last recordings, for the album "Pearl" ("Mercedes Benz" was her final).
When Kris finally signed with Monument to record his own material, he included this one - co-written by the label's founder Fred Foster - in his debut album "Kristofferson" (1971); later reissued as "Me and Bobby McGee" after Janis' passing - and grumbles as an intro: "If it sounds country folks; that's what it is. It's a country song. Hmmm ... one, two, three, four ..."
Kris was about to end up in the US Marines or as an academical zombie. Fortunately, he didn't. His family never forgave him. The world did.
busted flat in Baton Rouge : heading for a train
feeling nearly fainted as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before the rain
took us all the way to New Orleans
I took my harpoo out of my dirty red bandana
and was blowing sad while Bobby sang the blues
with my dreams sent out for slapping time and Bobby clapping hands
we finally sang out all the song that driver knew
freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose
freedom ain't worth nothing but it's free
feeling good was easy Lord when Bobby sang the blues
feeling good was good enough for me
good enough for me and Bobby McGee
from the gold mines of Kentucky to the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
standing right beside me Lord through everything I done
and every night she kept me from the cold
then somewhere near Salinas Lord I let her slip away
looking for the home I hope she'll find
I'd treat all of my tomorrows for a single yesterday
holding Bobby's body close to mine
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
G busted flat in Baton Rouge : heading for a train G D feeling nearly fainted as my jeans D7 Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before the rain G took us all the way to New Orleans G I took my harpoo out of my dirty red bandana G7 C and was blowing sad while Bobby sang the blues C G with my dreams sent out for slapping time and Bobby clapping hands D D7 G ...G7... we finally sang out all the songs that driver knew C G freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose D D7 G ...G7 freedom ain't worth nothing but it's free C G feeling good was easy Lord when Bobby sang the blues C feeling good was good enough for me C D7 G good enough for me and Bobby McGee [ then raise to A major for next verse ]
