“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
Hey, have you ever listened to Kris Kristofferson’s song “Here Comes That Rainbow Again”? I was revisiting some of his music the other day, and this particular track just hit me right in the feels. It’s like stumbling upon a quiet moment of humanity tucked away in a simple melody.
The song is inspired by a scene from John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. It tells the story of a brief encounter in a roadside diner during the Great Depression. Two kids walk in, obviously not flush with cash, and a kind waitress bends the rules to give them a little more than what they can pay for. Then, a couple of truck drivers witness this and leave an extra tip to cover the kindness. It’s this beautiful cycle of goodwill that just warms your heart.
What gets me every time is how Kristofferson captures this snapshot of compassion without any grandiose gestures or over-the-top production. The simplicity of the guitar and his earnest vocals make it feel so intimate, almost like he’s sharing a personal memory with you. It reminds me that even in the toughest times, it’s these small acts of kindness that restore our faith in humanity.
I think what’s so special about “Here Comes That Rainbow Again” is how it bridges literature and music to highlight universal themes of empathy and generosity. It’s not just a song; it’s a gentle nudge to look for the rainbows in our own lives—the little moments that bring color to an otherwise gray day.
If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen. Preferably with a cup of coffee in hand and a few minutes to just soak it all in. I’d love to hear what you think about it!
Video
Lyrics
The scene was a small roadside café
The waitress was sweepin’ the floor
Two truck drivers drinkin’ their coffee
And two okie kids by the door
“How much are them candies?” They asked her
“How much have you got?” She replied
“We’ve only a penny between us”
“Them’s two for a penny, ” she lied
And the daylight grew heavy with thunder
With the smell of the rain on the wind
Ain’t it just like a human?
Here comes that rainbow again
One truck driver called to the waitress
After the kids went outside
“Them candies ain’t two for a penny”
“So what’s it to you?” She replied
In silence they finished their coffee
Then got up and nodded goodbye
She called, “Hey, you left too much money”
“So what’s it to you?” They replied
And the daylight was heavy with thunder
With the smell of the rain on the wind
Ain’t it just like a human?
Here comes that rainbow again