About the song
Kris Kristofferson & Johnny Cash: A Sunday Morning Soul-Search
The year was 1978, a time when country music was experiencing a renaissance. Two giants of the genre, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash, joined forces to deliver a timeless masterpiece: “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” This poignant ballad, penned by Kristofferson himself, has resonated with listeners for generations, offering a raw and honest portrayal of the human condition.
Kristofferson, a gifted songwriter and performer, often drew inspiration from his own life experiences. “Sunday Morning Coming Down” is no exception. The song paints a vivid picture of a man waking up on a Sunday morning, grappling with the aftermath of a night of heavy drinking. The lyrics are filled with regret, longing, and a deep sense of loneliness.
Cash’s deep, resonant voice provides the perfect vehicle for this emotionally charged song. His delivery is both haunting and comforting, as he captures the raw vulnerability of the lyrics. When Cash sings, “I woke up this morning with the sun in my eyes/I stumbled to the window and I cursed the skies,” listeners can’t help but empathize with the character he portrays.
The collaboration between Kristofferson and Cash was a match made in heaven. Both artists were masters of their craft, and their combined talents created a truly unforgettable recording. The song’s simple yet effective arrangement, featuring acoustic guitar and pedal steel guitar, perfectly complements the lyrics and vocals.
“Sunday Morning Coming Down” has become a staple of the country music canon. It has been covered by countless artists over the years, each adding their own unique interpretation to the song. However, it’s the original version by Kristofferson and Cash that remains the definitive recording.
What makes this song so enduring? Perhaps it’s the universal themes of regret, loneliness, and the search for meaning that resonate with people from all walks of life. Or maybe it’s the raw honesty and authenticity of the lyrics and performance. Whatever the reason, “Sunday Morning Coming Down” continues to touch the hearts of listeners decades after its release.
For those who have never heard this song, I encourage you to give it a listen. It’s a beautiful and moving piece of music that will stay with you long after the final note fades.
Video
Lyrics
… Well, I woke up Sunday morning
With no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt
And the beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad
So I had one more for dessert
… Then I fumbled in my closet through my clothes
And found my cleanest dirty shirt
Then I washed my face and combed my hair
And stumbled down the stairs to meet the day
… I’d smoked my mind the night before
With cigarettes and songs I’d been pickin’
But I lit my first and watched a small kid
Playing with a can that he was kicking
… Then I walked across the street
And caught the Sunday smell of someone’s fryin’ chicken
And Lord it took me back to something that I lost
Somewhere, somehow along the way
… On a Sunday morning sidewalk
I’m wishing, Lord, that I was stoned
‘Cause there’s something in a Sunday
That makes a body feel alone
… And there’s nothin’ short of dyin’
That’s half as lonesome as the sound
Of the sleeping city sidewalks
And Sunday morning coming down
… In the park I saw a daddy
With a laughin’ little girl that he was swinging
And I stopped beside a Sunday school
And listened to the songs they were singing
… Then I headed down the street
And somewhere far away, a lonely bell was ringing
And it echoed through the canyons
Like a disappearing dreams of yesterday
… On a Sunday morning sidewalk
I’m wishing, Lord, that I was stoned
‘Cause there’s something in a Sunday
That makes a body feel alone
… And there’s nothin’ short of dyin’
That’s half as lonesome as the sound
Of the sleepin’ city sidewalks
And Sunday morning coming down