“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose”
Song selection this week – for the theme of ‘freedom’ – was one of the easier decisions I’ve had to make on a Sunday morning. This seminal Kris Kristofferson song – performed here by Janis Joplin – provides perhaps a different take on what is usually held to be the unconditional ‘good thing’ of freedom. And it was Jean-Paul Sartre who argued that man is ‘condemned’ to be free – because he is responsible for everything he does.
Busted flat in Baton Rouge, headin’ for the trains,
Feelin’ nearly faded as my jeans.
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained,
Took us all the way to New Orleans.
Took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
And was blowin’ sad while Bobby sang the blues,
With them windshield wipers slappin’ time and
Bobby clappin’ hands we finally sang up every song
That driver knew.
Feelin’ nearly faded as my jeans.
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained,
Took us all the way to New Orleans.
Took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
And was blowin’ sad while Bobby sang the blues,
With them windshield wipers slappin’ time and
Bobby clappin’ hands we finally sang up every song
That driver knew.
Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose,
And nothin’ ain’t worth nothin’ but it’s free,
Feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby Mcgee.
And nothin’ ain’t worth nothin’ but it’s free,
Feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby Mcgee.
From the coalmines of Kentucky to the California sun,
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul,
Standin’ right beside me through everythin’ I done,
And every night she kept me from the cold.
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away,
She was lookin’ for the home I hope she’ll find,
Well I’d trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday,
Holdin’ Bobby’s body close to mine.
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul,
Standin’ right beside me through everythin’ I done,
And every night she kept me from the cold.
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away,
She was lookin’ for the home I hope she’ll find,
Well I’d trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday,
Holdin’ Bobby’s body close to mine.
Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose,
And nothin’ left was all she left to me,
Feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me.
Good enough for me and Bobby Mcgee.
And nothin’ left was all she left to me,
Feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues,
And buddy, that was good enough for me.
Good enough for me and Bobby Mcgee.
the only deadhead in the hameau 
Love this song brings back happy memories
This is definitely a different way to look at freedom… it comes with a load full of responsibility for sure. Great choice – gotta love Janis and this song in particular. Thanks for sharing!
I love this song! In fact, I was going to post it for today, but went with another one. Thanks! 🙂
I do like a good story song, which this one is, kinda …
Oh, yeah. This is the one I bellow out when the mood and moon strike me. I’ve learned the para-lyrics off an old tape a lifetime away, and refuse to amend them now that I have access to the correct words. People say I don’t merely sing but also transport her back. So be it. She is forever.
Janis; accept no substitute.