SUNDAY CHOICE - Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord Story Told - By Charles Schokman

SUNDAY CHOICE – Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord Story Told – By Charles Schokman

SUNDAY CHOICE (2)

“Why Me” was recorded by Kristofferson in 1972, featuring backing vocals by soon-to-be wife Rita Coolidge and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin. It was released on the album Jesus Was a Capricorn in 1973, and became the biggest hit of his career.

According to country music historian Bill Malone, Kristofferson wrote the song during an emotionally low period of his life after having attended a religious service conducted by the Rev. Jimmie Rogers Snow. Malone wrote, “‘Why Me, Lord'” – as the song is sometimes known – “may seem greatly out of character for Kristofferson, but it can be interpreted as his own personal religious rephrasing of ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down.’ In this case, he is ‘coming down’ not from drugs, but from the whole hedonistic euphoria of the (1960s).” Malone described Kristofferson’s gruff vocal styling as “perfect” for the song, since “he sounds like a man who has lived a lot but is now humbling himself before God.”

Kristofferson said he went with friends to the church service where he was moved by Larry Gatlin’s song “Help Me (Lord)”. He said that he had never thought of needing help, but he was at a low point in his life. When the pastor asked the congregation, “Is anybody feeling lost?” “Up goes my hand,” Kristofferson says. The Pastor then asked, “Are you ready to accept Christ? Kneel down there.” “I’m kneeling there,” Kristofferson continues, “and I carry a big load of guilt around…and I was just out of control, crying. It was a release. It really shook me up.” Kristofferson later said, “It was just a personal thing I was going through at the time. I had some kind of experience that I can’t even explain.

kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord Story Told

Kris Kristofferson Why Me Lord

WHY ME LORD

Why me Lord, what have I ever doneTo deserve even oneOf the pleasures I’ve knownTell me Lord, what did I ever doThat was worth loving YouOr the kindness You’ve shown

Lord help me Jesus, I’ve wasted it So help me Jesus, I know what I amNow that I know that I’ve needed you So Help me Jesus, my soul’s in Your hand

Tell me Lord, if you think there’s a wayI can try to repayAll I’ve taken from YouMaybe Lord, I can show someone elseWhat I’ve been through myselfOn my way back to You

Lord, help me Jesus, I’ve wasted it So Help me Jesus, I know what I amNow that I know that I’ve needed you So help me Jesus, my soul’s in Your hand

Jesus, my soul’s in Your hand