Star-Spangled Bummer [Whores Die Hard]

kris kristofferson

 

From Kris Kristofferson's fifth album "Spooky Lady's Sideshow"(Monument 1974). Despite solid material and good production, the album flopped as the first one of Kristofferson's, starting a decline both as a recording artist and songwriter. From 1975, he's better renowned as an actor, though still writing, recording and touring. What this song is about? The subtitle tells more than the real title: another song about booze-up, bummers, spoiled women and general downfall. But it's well built.
Maybe this album had too much of such stuff.

ring anvil for the deal we dealt us by mistake
our angel made of steel is big enough to break
'cause the rust is at his heel and I swear I seen him shakin'
but who'll be here to bring her body home

the cabaret was crowded as her bed on payday night
Sammy hit a soldier and the fools began to fight
we scattered like the shadows in the early mornin' light
but she remained to bring the body home

for longer than it seemed she loved some honest man
who chased her wildest dream and rode her like the wind
and they forged the bloody chains for some wounds too deep for mending
but she was there to bring the body home

the barker stood there smiling as he beckoned us inside
to see the shinin' creature that had grown too big to hide
"look here" he said "he's harmless" and we wished that he was lyin'
'cause few remained to bring the body home

ring anvil for the deal we dealt us by mistake
our angel made of steel is big enough to break
'cause the rust is at his heel and I swear I seen him shakin'
but we'll be here to bring her body home

For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.

Am                          Dm
ring anvil for the deal we dealt us by mistake
     Am                     C             E7
our angel made of steel is big enough to break
           Am                        Dm
'cause the rust is at his heel and I swear I seen him shakin'
    Am                E7             Am
but who'll be here to bring her body home

A
the cabaret was crowded as her bed on payday night
E                           A              A7
Sammy hit a soldier and the fools began to fight
     D                                A             D
we scattered like the shadows in the early mornin' light
     A               E7             A
but she remained to bring the body home