The Highwaymen: A Timeless Ballad of a Troubled Soul
The Highwaymen, a legendary supergroup comprised of country music icons Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, have left an indelible mark on the genre.
Background
Their music, a blend of country, folk, and rock, has captivated audiences for decades. One of their most poignant and introspective songs, “The Pilgrim: Chapter 33,” is a haunting exploration of a life lived on the edge.
Penned by Kris Kristofferson, “The Pilgrim: Chapter 33” is a character study of a troubled soul, a wanderer searching for meaning and redemption.
The song’s evocative lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man caught in a cycle of addiction, self-destruction, and spiritual longing. The Highwaymen’s powerful vocals and the song’s haunting melody amplify the emotional depth of the lyrics.
The song’s title, “The Pilgrim: Chapter 33,” suggests a biblical reference, hinting at a journey of spiritual growth and transformation.
However, the protagonist of the song is far from a saintly figure. Instead, he is a complex and flawed individual who struggles with his demons.
The Highwaymen’s collaboration on “The Pilgrim: Chapter 33” is a testament to their artistic chemistry and their ability to create music that resonates with audiences on a deep emotional level.
The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its artistic merit and its ability to evoke strong feelings of empathy and understanding.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans
Wearin’ yesterday’s misfortunes like a smile
Once he had a future full of money love and dreams
Which he spent like they was going out of style.And he keeps right on a changin’ for the better or the worse
And searchin’ for a shrine he’s never found
Never knowin’ if believin’ is a blessin’ or a curse
Or if the going up is worth to coming down.He’s a poet, he’s a picker, he’s a prophet, he’s a pusher
He’s a pilgrim and a preacher and a problem when he’s stoned
He’s a walking contradiction partly truth and partly fiction
Taking every wrong direction on his lonely way back home.He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars
And he’s traded in tomorrow for today
Runnin’ from the devils Lord and reachin’ for the stars
And losin’ all he loved along the way.But if this world keeps right on turning for the better or the worse
All he ever gets is older and around
From the rocking of the cradle to the rolling of the hearse
The going up was worth the coming down.He’s a poet, he’s a picker, he’s a prophet, he’s a pusher
He’s a pilgrim and a preacher and a problem when he’s stoned
He’s a walking contradiction partly truth and partly fiction
Taking every wrong direction on his lonely way back home.