“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
When you think about Kris Kristofferson, you imagine a voice that’s lived a thousand lives, a man whose words are soaked in wisdom, grit, and truth. “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down” is one of those songs that hits you right in the gut, in the best possible way. This is Kristofferson at his rawest, standing defiant against the pressures of life, the critics, and the endless noise that tries to bring you down.
It’s more than just a song—it’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt crushed by the weight of the world and had to pick themselves back up. Kristofferson uses the phrase “bastards” loosely here—it’s less about actual people and more about all the things that gnaw at your spirit. It’s about not letting anyone or anything steal your light, your fight, or your sense of self.
There’s something cathartic in the way Kristofferson delivers this message. His raspy, weathered voice feels like it’s speaking directly to you, like an old friend reminding you that you’re stronger than whatever’s dragging you down. He’s not offering easy solutions or hollow optimism. Instead, he’s giving you the kind of tough love you didn’t know you needed—telling you to dig in, stay strong, and keep going, no matter what life throws at you.
Musically, the song has that stripped-down, no-frills style that Kristofferson is known for. It’s simple, raw, and real, with just enough edge to feel like it’s part battle cry, part therapy session. The sparse arrangement leaves room for his voice and his lyrics to take center stage, making sure you don’t miss a single word of the message he’s driving home.
The song feels timeless. Whether you’re dealing with personal hardships, facing criticism, or just navigating the grind of everyday life, “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down” is that reminder to hold your head high and refuse to be defeated. It’s a song you can turn to when you need to feel like someone out there gets it—gets you.
What makes it even more powerful is that it doesn’t pretend life is easy. It acknowledges the struggle, the pain, and the unfairness. But it also gives you a choice—to let those things define you or to rise above them. Kristofferson’s words feel like a mantra: don’t let the world, or the people in it, beat you down. It’s a rallying cry for resilience, for standing tall in the face of adversity, and for keeping your spirit intact.
For those who’ve walked through fire, this song isn’t just music—it’s a lifeline. Kristofferson’s ability to connect on that deep, emotional level makes “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down” more than just a track on a record. It’s a personal message from someone who’s been there and back, reminding you that you’re never alone in the fight.
Video
Lyrics
They’re killing babies in the name of Freedom
We’ve been down that sorry road before
They let us hang around a little longer than they should have
And it’s too late to fool us anymore
We’ve seen the ones who killed the ones with vision
Cold-blooded murder right before your eyes
Today they hold the power and the money and the guns
It’s getting hard to listen to their lies
Chorus:
And I’ve just got to wonder what my Daddy would’ve done
If he’d seen the way they turned his dream around
I’ve got to go by what he told me, try to tell the truth
And stand your ground
DON’T LET THE BASTARDS GET YOU DOWN
Mining roads
Killing farmers
Burning down schools full of children
Fighting communism
Chorus:
And I’ve just got to wonder what my Daddy would’ve done
If he’d seen the way they turned his dream around
I’ve got to go by what he told me, try to tell the truth
And stand your ground
DON’T LET THE BASTARDS GET YOU DOWN