The Burden of Freedom
written by Kris Kristofferson
Album: "This Old Road"
3/8/06


INTRO: D  Em  A  D

               D                        Em
I stand on the stairway, my back to the dungeon
               A                      D
The doorway to freedom so close to my hand
           Em        A                D
And voices behind me   still bitterly damn me
               Em     A                 D
For seekin' salvation   they don't understand


CHORUS:
                G       Cadd9-G              D
Lord help me to shoulder       the burden of freedom
                G      Cadd9-G             A7
And give me the courage       to be what I can
              D                       Em
And when I am wounded by those who condemn me
             A                             D
Lord help me forgive them, they don't understand

                  D                    Em
Their lonely frustration descending to laugher
           A                         D
Erases the footprints I leave in the sand
                Em     A                  D
And I'm free to travel   where no one can follow
                 Em      A                 D 
In search of the Kingdom   they don't understand


CHORUS:
                G       Cadd9-G              D
Lord help me to shoulder       the burden of freedom
                G      Cadd9-G             A7
And give me the courage       to be what I can
                D                        Em
And when I have wounded the last one who loved me
             A                        D
God help her forgive me, I don't understand