written by Kris Kristofferson 3/8/06 INTRO: D Em A D D Em I stand on the stairway, my back to the dungeon A D The doorway to freedom so close to my hand Em A D And voices behind me still bitterly damn me Em A D For seekin' salvation they don't understand CHORUS: G Cadd9-G D Lord help me to shoulder the burden of freedom G Cadd9-G A7 And give me the courage to be what I can D Em And when I am wounded by those who condemn me A D Lord help me forgive them, they don't understand D Em Their lonely frustration descending to laugher A D Erases the footprints I leave in the sand Em A D And I'm free to travel where no one can follow Em A D In search of the Kingdom they don't understand CHORUS: G Cadd9-G D Lord help me to shoulder the burden of freedom G Cadd9-G A7 And give me the courage to be what I can D Em And when I have wounded the last one who loved me A D God help her forgive me, I don't understand