Lyrics: Kristofferson/Foster
Music: Kristofferson/Foster
Sung regularly by Bob Weir with the Grateful Dead in the early 1970s.
Also sung by Joan Baez with the Dead on 12 and 31 December 1981 and as part of a solo acoustic set between the Dead's sets on
30 December 1981.
Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waiting for a train (note 1)Notes
Feeling nearly faded as my jeans
Bobby flagged a diesel down just before it rained (note 2)
Took us all the way to New Orleans
I took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana (note 3)
I was blowing sad while Bobby sang the blues (note 4)
With them windshield wipers slapping time
And Bobby clapping hands (note 5)
We finally sang near every song that driver knew
Freedom's just another word for nothing left to do (note 6)
Nothing ain't worth nothing but it's free
Feeling good was easy Lord when Bobby sang the blues
Feeling good 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
Standing right beside me Lord through everything I done (note 7)
Bobby's body kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord I let her slip away
Looking for that home I hope she'd find
And I'll trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday
Holding Bobby's body close to mine (note 8)
Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose
Nothing was all she left for me
Feeling good was easy Lord when Bobby sang the blues
Feeling good was good enough for me (note 9)
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Freedom's just another word for nothing left to do
Nothing ain't worth nothing but it's free
Feeling good was easy Lord when Bobby sang the blues
Feeling good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee