About the song
A Haunting Tale of Love, Loss, and Redemption: Kris Kristofferson’s “The Sabre and the Rose”
In the realm of country music, Kris Kristofferson stands as a towering figure, a songwriter and singer whose poignant lyrics and soulful melodies have resonated with audiences for decades. Among his vast repertoire of enduring classics, “The Sabre and the Rose” holds a special place, captivating listeners with its evocative storytelling and emotional depth.
Released in 1978 as part of Kristofferson’s album Easter Island, “The Sabre and the Rose” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that weaves a tale of love, loss, and redemption. The song’s opening lines, “Feet hit the ground; feet leaving town / Quicker than a bullet or a knife,” set the stage for a whirlwind narrative, immersing the listener in a world of desperation and danger.
A Desperate Escape
The protagonist, a man on the run, finds himself seeking refuge in a tavern known as “The Sabre and the Rose.” There, he encounters a woman of captivating beauty, a vision of solace amidst the chaos that surrounds him. Their connection is immediate and intense, a beacon of hope in the midst of darkness.
Love Amidst the Shadows
As the night deepens, the man and the woman share a moment of intimacy, a fleeting escape from the harsh realities that threaten to consume them. However, their newfound solace is shattered when the man’s pursuers arrive, forcing them to flee once more into the night.
A Fight for Survival
Desperate to escape their pursuers, the couple embarks on a perilous journey, seeking a place where they can finally find peace. Their path is fraught with danger, but their love for each other fuels their determination to survive.
A Glimpse of Redemption
As the sun rises, offering a glimmer of hope, the couple finds themselves at the edge of a river, their only means of escape. With a final embrace, they plunge into the water, swimming towards an uncertain future.
A Timeless Classic
“The Sabre and the Rose” concludes with a sense of ambiguity, leaving the listener to ponder the fate of the star-crossed lovers. Yet, despite the song’s unresolved ending, its emotional impact is undeniable. Kristofferson’s masterful storytelling and heartfelt vocals paint a vivid picture of love, loss, and the enduring power of hope.
Through its evocative lyrics and haunting melody, “The Sabre and the Rose” has cemented its place as a timeless classic in the realm of country music. It is a song that resonates with listeners on a profound level, capturing the complexities of the human experience and the enduring power of love amidst adversity.
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Lyrics
“Sabre And The Rose”
Feet hit the ground; feet leaving town
Quicker than a bullet or a knife
Falling ain’t no fun when you’re on the run
Honey we was runnin’ for our lifeWhen Stagger Lee had drunk his fill of moonlight
He turned his burnin’ eyes upon my soul
“It’s time, by God, to spend this night with someone else”, he said.
“Squeeze a little pleasure from the gold” (love & glory, children)
We can take it easy when we’re old.He said, “We’ll take us into town, lay our money down
I’ll bring you to the sweetest thing that grows
Because the fairest ones in sight are bloomin’ every night at a tavern
Called the Sabre and the Rose.”We swang into the saddle slick as breathing
And slapped ’em once for pleasure with the reins
The horses snorted frosty in the moonlight
Somethin’ dark was singing in my veins
Older than the voices in my brain.He said, “This place you’re gonna see is where they live and breathe
And sink down a little bit deeper every day
And sometimes at night, when the wind is runnin’ right,
You can hear it suckin’ thirty miles away”Then the light was crimson and I found her,
All naked and eternal and insane
Sacred as the mysteries around her like a veil
Nothin’ but her prison was profane
All we had in common was our chains.Ah-burn it down boys
Burn it to the ground, boys
Burn it on downFeet hit the ground; feet leaving town
Quicker than a bullet or a knifeAll the way she ran holdin’ to my hand
Runnin’ for the river and our life
Slidin’ from the moonlight into shadows
Silent as the river as it flows
Swimmin’ to the place they’ll never find us
All we left behind us was our clothes
And the stories, children.Sing about The Sabre and the Rose