See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans, Wearin' yesterday's misfortunes like a smile Once he had a future full of money, love, and dreams, Which he spent like they was goin' outa style And he keeps right on a'changin' for the better or the worse, Searchin' for a shrine he's never found Never knowin' if believin' is a blessin' or a curse, Or if the goin' up was worth the comin' down He's a poet, he's a picker He's a prophet, he's a pusher He's a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he's stoned He's a walkin' contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction, Takin' ev'ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home. He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars, And he's traded in tomorrow for today Runnin' from his devils, Lord, and reachin' for the stars, And losin' all he's loved along the way But if this world keeps right on turnin' for the better or the worse, And all he ever gets is older and around From the rockin' of the cradle to the rollin' of the hearse, The goin' up was worth the comin' down He's a poet, he's a picker He's a prophet, he's a pusher He's a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he's stoned He's a walkin' contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction, Takin' ev'ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home. There's a lotta wrong directions on that lonely way back home. Kris Kristofferson, in a song he wrote titled "The Pilgrim," inspired by any & all of Chris Gantry, Dennis Hopper, Johnny Cash, Norman, Norbert, 'Funky' Donnie Fritts, Billy Swan, Bobby Neuwirth, Jerry Jeff Walker, Paul Siebel, & Ramblin' Jack Elliott. The [Gaslight] was packed and you would recognize many of the names of those in the audience. I believe it was just after [Mississippi John] Hurt's set that Jack Elliott came up to the mic., and told us that a friend just got back from England and would it be alright if he sang a song or two for us. It was Kris Kristofferson; he was great. — 1964 Richard Feirste. "Re: Dylan & Mississippi John Hurt?" Online posting. 11 Dec. 2002. rec.music.dylan. "Before I knew Ramblin' Jack, I thought they called him Ramblin' Jack because of his travels — which he does, God knows — but it's because of the way he talks. (laughter) I've never heard anybody that was so enchanting on subjects that I didn't give a damn about. "I got him up on the stage one time — he took so long to tune up, I said, "Listen I know you don't hold a pistol up to Picasso's head and say 'Paint!' but you gotta get started!" (laughter) "I can remember when Johnny Cash recorded this song, he said, "I wanna have Jack Elliott's guitar. If Jack isn't on it, I wanna have somebody playing what Jack Elliott plays." ... God damn I'm having a senior moment — I can't think what the song was ..." Aiyana offers, "Carpenter?" "Yes. Exactly — Carpenter. It was the one and it was the way that Jack did it ... and I think John and June had a hit on it (laughter) with Jack's lick. But that's the story of his life: was other people having hits on stuff that he might be responsible for." Kris Kristofferson. Interview with Aiyana Elliott. "The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack" Lot 47 Films, 1999.