In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Busted flat in Baton Rouge
And 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
And I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna
And was blowin sad while Bobby sang the blues
With them windshield wipers slappin' time
And Bobby clappin' hands with mine we finally
Sang every song that driver knew
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Feelin' good was easy, Lord, when
Bobby sang the blues
Buddy, that was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
From the coal mines of Kentucky
To the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Standin' right beside me, Lord
Through everything I done
And every night she kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord
I let her slip away
Lookin' for the home I hope she'll find
And I'd trade all of my tomorrows
For one single yesterday
Holdin' Bobby's body next to mine
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothing, but it's free
Feelin' good was easy, Lord
When bobby sang the blues
And feeling good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
And 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
And I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna
And was blowin sad while Bobby sang the blues
With them windshield wipers slappin' time
And Bobby clappin' hands with mine we finally
Sang every song that driver knew
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Feelin' good was easy, Lord, when
Bobby sang the blues
Buddy, that was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
From the coal mines of Kentucky
To the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Standin' right beside me, Lord
Through everything I done
And every night she kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord
I let her slip away
Lookin' for the home I hope she'll find
And I'd trade all of my tomorrows
For one single yesterday
Holdin' Bobby's body next to mine
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothing, but it's free
Feelin' good was easy, Lord
When bobby sang the blues
And feeling good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Me and Bobby Mcgee Lyrics as written by Kris Kristofferson Fred L. Foster
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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