About the song
Kris Kristofferson’s Holy Woman. Now that’s a song that lingers in the recesses of your mind long after the last note fades. Released in 2009 on his album Closer to the Bone, it finds the ever-gravelly voiced Kristofferson exploring familiar territory – love, longing, and a touch of the spiritual – yet with a fresh intensity that belies his years.
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This isn’t your typical love ballad, mind you. Kristofferson weaves a more complex tapestry here. The woman he addresses isn’t simply an object of desire, but a force that transcends the physical. She’s a “holy woman”, a beacon of light in the speaker’s “holy emptiness”. There’s a sense of desperation in his voice, a yearning for something more, something to fill the void within him.
The imagery throughout the song is striking. We see the woman bathed in moonlight, the breeze carrying the scent of flowers, the shadows cast by her form as delicate as lace. It’s a scene both intimate and ethereal, hinting at a connection that goes beyond the flesh.
Kristofferson isn’t afraid to lay bare his vulnerability here. He freely admits, “I’m only human.” He craves the woman’s touch, her ability to unlock the hidden chambers of his heart, a place “where the heart has never been before”. This vulnerability adds a layer of pathos to the song, making his pleas for the woman’s presence all the more poignant.
The music itself is a perfect complement to the lyrics. The slow, deliberate tempo creates an atmosphere of quiet intensity. The gentle strumming of the guitar and the mournful wail of the pedal steel underscore the emotional weight of the song. It’s a soundscape that allows Kristofferson’s weathered voice to take center stage, conveying the raw desperation and yearning that lie at the heart of the song.
Holy Woman is more than just a love song. It’s a meditation on faith, redemption, and the human need for connection. It’s a testament to Kristofferson’s enduring ability to craft songs that resonate with the deepest parts of the human experience. So, sit back, close your eyes, and let Holy Woman wash over you. It’s a journey worth taking.