Fighter

(Kris Kristofferson)



I seen an old fighter tired and in trouble

Who just couldn't take anymore

Something inside him kept fightin' to finish

With only his feet on the floor.



Lord, I know that it's worth any price you could pay

To see truth in whatever disguise

But I'd've played double for one look of pleasure

A piece of relief in his eyes.



Ain't that clown laughin' like crazy

Ain't his eyes empty and deep

Don't he sound sad as a baby

When she cries out in her sleep.



We measured the space between Waylon and Willie

And Willie and Waylon and me

But there wasn't nothin' like Billy Joe Shaver

What Billy Joe Shaver should be.



When he showed up sick later all bit by a spider

And crazy to look in the eye

He put on a show that was sad as it should've been

And nobody even knew why.



Ain't that clown laughin' like crazy

Ain't his eyes empty and deep

Don't he sound sad as a baby

When she cries out in her sleep...