“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
When it comes to painting vivid emotional landscapes with music, Kris Kristofferson has a way of cutting straight to the core of the human experience. “Between Heaven and Here” is a prime example of his lyrical prowess, bringing to life the anguish and longing that exists in the liminal space between holding onto a love and letting it go.
The song feels like a conversation between the heart and the soul, grappling with the reality that sometimes, despite all the love in the world, there’s a separation that just can’t be bridged. In true Kristofferson fashion, the lyrics are sparse but packed with meaning, each word carefully chosen to maximize its emotional impact. Listening to “Between Heaven and Here” is like sitting down with an old friend who knows what it’s like to be caught in that in-between place, where hope and heartache coexist.
What makes this song particularly special is its honesty. Kristofferson doesn’t sugarcoat the pain, nor does he paint a picture of easy reconciliation. Instead, he acknowledges that the love remains, even if it’s impossible to be fully together. It’s a song that captures the quiet moments of reflection, the ones where you find yourself alone in a room, staring out the window, thinking about what could have been. And yet, there’s a beauty in that sadness, a reminder that love, even in its most painful form, is still worth having.
Musically, the song is gentle and understated, with a melody that feels almost like a lullaby. There’s a sense of melancholy woven into every note, creating an atmosphere that’s both intimate and haunting. It’s as if the music itself is suspended in that space “between heaven and here,” echoing the theme of being stuck between two worlds.
One of the most poignant lines in the song is, “There’s a lonely song inside my heart, that no one hears but me.” It’s a line that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of carrying unspoken words, emotions that are too personal to share but too powerful to ignore. It’s these small, personal truths that make Kristofferson’s writing so relatable and compelling. You feel like he’s singing not just about his own experience, but about yours too.
“Between Heaven and Here” may not be one of Kristofferson’s most commercially famous songs, but for those who’ve been touched by it, it holds a special place. It’s a song for quiet moments and deep thoughts, for when you need to sit with your feelings and let them breathe. Whether you’ve been through a similar heartbreak or simply appreciate the poetry of longing, this song has a way of speaking directly to that quiet place inside all of us—the place that’s forever caught between wanting and accepting, between heaven and here.
Video
Lyrics
You got your reasons to choose not to ever believe me (believe me)
maybe life done you so dirty you’ll never be free.
Look what you’re doing to someone who surreally loves you.
Is that the lonesome old way you wanted to be ? (I didn’t think so)
Partner, I know, we could be soul to soul if we want to.
Oh, ain’t it worth it, there’s so little lovin’ today.
Wastin’ our feelings on something when so little matters.
Think of the time and the chances we’re throwing away.
We can do better than this we can go for the glory!
I hope to God we can handle the worst of our fears!
Then if you will if you’re up to the thrill of a lifetime
maybe we’ll tear down the walls between heaven and here.
Maybe the secret is making believe when it matters
maybe just keeping it simple and close to the heart.
Love is so easy to make and so easy to shatter.
We can be stronger together or tear it apart.