Kris Kristofferson - Burden of freedom

Fair use - no copyright violation intended
Here's a playlist with more songs from that concert:

First part of the song is from his concert at Boulder, it's on the DVD "Breakthrough". I did not want to leave out the second verse, because it is just too good to be left out, so I cut it from the album song (1972).
One of my very favourite songs of Kris.

Burden of freedom

I stand on the stairway, my back to the dungeon
The doorway to freedom so close to my hand
Voices behind me still bitterly damn me
For seeking salvation they don't understand

Lord, help me to shoulder the burden of freedom
And give me the courage to be what I can
And when I am wounded by those who condemn me
Lord, help me forgive them, they don't understand

Their lonely frustration, descending to laughter
Erases the footprints I leave in the sand
And I'm free to travel where no one can follow
In search of the kingdom they don't understand

Lord, help me to shoulder the burden of freedom
And give me the courage to be what I can
And when I have wounded the last one who loved me
God, help her forgive me, I don't understand.

Kris already wrote this song in the mid-sixties -- it's one of these early demo songs from 1967.
So it's certainly about his thoughts of the time when he decided not to stay in the army and start this teaching job at the military academy at West Point, but to follow his heart and write songs...
His parents didn't like it at all; they didn't seem to respect songwriters a lot back then... His mum even wrote an angry letter to him showing her disappointment and disowning him as well as saying what an embarrassment he was to his family and their friends and warning him not to contact any people the family knew...
Kris' mum died in 1985. She had changed to a big supporter of Kris, but I don't know when that had started... She even had given Johnny a heartfelt hug, that man who she had called "a dope addict and felon" in her letter, because Kris had been idolizing him so much... Maybe time changes everything...

Die Bürde der Freiheit

Ich steh auf der Treppe, meinen Rücken zum Kerker
Den Zugang zur Freiheit so nah an meiner Hand
Stimmen hinter mir verdammen mich immer noch heftig
dafür, dass ich Erlösung suche, die sie nicht verstehen.

Gott, hilf mir, die Last der Freiheit zu tragen
Und gib mir den Mut zu sein, was ich sein kann
Und wenn ich verletzt werde von denen, die mich verurteilen
Gott, hilf mir, ihnen zu verzeihen- sie verstehen es nur nicht.

Ihr einsamer Frust endet in Gelächter
und löscht die Fußstapfen, die ich im Sand hinterlasse
Aber ich bin frei dorthin zu reisen, wohin mir niemand folgen kann
Auf der Suche nach dem Königreich, das sie nicht verstehen.

Gott, hilf mir, diese Last der Freiheit zu tragen
Und gib mir den Mut zu sein, was ich sein kann
Und wenn ich die Letzte, die mich noch geliebt hat, verletzt habe,
Gott, hilf ihr, mir zu verzeihen, ich verstehe es nur nicht. 

Das waren wohl seine Gedanken, als er jede Sicherheit und die vorgesehene Karriere bei der Armeee hinter sich ließ, und entgegen den Willen seiner Eltern und vielleicht auch den seiner damaligen Frau, in Nashville noch mal ganz von vorn anfing (als Nacht -- Hausmeister im Tonstudio), um das zu machen, was ihm sein Herz sagte, nämlich Lieder zu schreiben. 

Er war in eine Militärfamilie hinein geboren, sein Vater  war General bei der Luftwaffe und hatte sich im Krieg einige Lorbeeren verdient und seine Großväter hatten auch in der Armee gedient, väterlicherseits in der schwedischen Armee (seine Großeltern waren 1905 in die USA ausgewandert, wo im Aug 1905 sein Vater zur Welt kam). Zwei Jahre länger in der Armee, und Kris wäre Major geworden...

Kris'  Mum hat jahrelang kein Wort mit ihm gewechselt. Sie hatte ihm einen Brief geschrieben, dass er enteignet wäre und sich nicht mehr blicken lassen sollte, weil er sozusagen eine Schande geworden war...so sauer war sie auf ihn, weil er 1965 die Armee verließ und nach Nashville ging, anstatt die für ihn vorgesehene Karriere anzugehen (Er war kurz davor  Literatur zu unterrichten an der Militärakademie in Westpoint. Aber auf dem Rückweg von seinem ersten Besuch dort, als er feststellte, das war es nicht, was er wollte,  machte er Stopp in Nashville -- und das war's dann mit dem Lehrerjob...)

[donnieacklen]

Never will there be another songwriter like Kris.

[narelledearden]

This is the first time I have heard this song by Kris with so much feeling. Have been listening to his life story & have found out we are both the same age, 85. Love you Kris.

[Gigivvvv]

this man is beyond words and beyond honest with all he feels and believes...and it shows in all he does...

[cristinabumbac]

The burden of freedom is you have nothing to lose....Kris! In your own words that I admire so much.

[ilenearmstrong]

I think the dungeon is the military the voices behind him is his family and friends that are condemning him for his choices he made but this man followed his dreams and had the courage to live his own life regardless of others and he knew that he would be need discriminated against and that's just one reason why I admire Chris so much

[donnieacklen]

Rest in Peace Kris. You are already and always will be loved and missed.

[rudigerpodlaha]

He is THE poet of the whole Country scene. One oft the most honest and sincere people I know. A really decent guy. One I would like to share my beer or my whine with, and these are not so many, exept my personal friends. His songs are landmarks in my life.

[yafanna]

I've shared the hell out of this song and played it 20 times more than that. Kris K. is truly gifted. Thank you.

[freddyodonohoe]

Kris got me into courtry music love his voice..my favorite Sunday morning coming down ..👌👍🍀🇮🇪

[peacegirl]

Kristofferson is all about FREEDOM, JUSTICE, PEACE & MERCY!
This is the reason I love this Man. Plus he is a very educated person. Which one can see thru the songs he writes.Very very talented.

[uinvest]

This tune shows what the Man Kris was since his early years. He stood his grounds he believed in so much that no one could manipulate him - not even hi most beloved ones.

Kris is one of those blessed ones that walk the among us and leave "footprints only in the sand, on water ... and in our Souls"

[billfraser]

When it comes to writing songs this guy is without equal

[PanniuqIan-jzvd]

Going up as a child my father would play kris kristofferson and now I know why

[christinedureau]

Inspiring, a noble song imbued with absolute integrity when he sings it.

[robinandthehoods]

Sure miss the '60's and '70's.Where has all the talent gone?

[beckyhaines]

This song kept my soul alive many, many times, thank you!

[mdogg]

KK is a remarkable person in so many aspects!

[ThatReviewGuy]

No matter how many times I hear this, it still manages to be one of the strongest and most emotional songs I have ever heard. This song has helped me become who I am today, and I will carry the lyrics with me until I die. Thank you so much Biggestkkfan for posting this again. And though he'll probably never read it, thank you Kris, for changing my life for the better and giving me inspiration to become all I can be.

[patsykelly]

Brilliant music and singing from my favourite singer/songwriter from the early 70's

[jackiestar]

Love his lyrics amazing man thank you 💕🙏