About the song
Kris Kristofferson’s “Duvalier’s Dream”
“Duvalier’s Dream” is a song written and performed by Kris Kristofferson. It was released in 1970 on his album Kristofferson. The song is a scathing indictment of the Duvalier regime in Haiti, which was led by François Duvalier from 1957 to 1971. Duvalier was a brutal dictator who ruled Haiti with an iron fist. He was responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of his own people.
The song begins with Kristofferson singing about Duvalier’s dream of a Haiti where he is the absolute ruler. He sings about how Duvalier’s dream is built on the backs of the poor and the oppressed. He also sings about how Duvalier’s dream is a nightmare for the people of Haiti.
The chorus of the song is a powerful call for freedom and justice. Kristofferson sings, “Duvalier’s dream is a nightmare/For the people of Haiti/They’re tired of living in fear/They want their freedom.”
The song ends with Kristofferson singing about how Duvalier’s dream will never come true. He sings, “Duvalier’s dream is a lie/It will never come true/The people of Haiti will never be free/Until Duvalier is gone.”
“Duvalier’s Dream” is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the importance of freedom and justice. It is a song that is still relevant today, as there are still many people in the world who are living under oppressive regimes. The song is a reminder that we must never give up fighting for freedom and justice for all.
Some additional information about the song:
- The song was inspired by Kristofferson’s visit to Haiti in 1969. He was shocked by the poverty and oppression that he saw there.
- The song was banned in Haiti by the Duvalier regime.
- The song has been covered by many artists, including Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, and Bob Dylan.
Video
Lyrics
That brought a new betrayal every day.
He shunned the world of mortals and the sound of human tongues
And blessed the night that chased their sight away.
A disillusioned dreamer who would never love again
Who’d tried of it and found that it was rotten.
Prefering perfect strangers to the company of friends
Because strangers are so easily forgotten.
[CHORUS:]
Oh, it’s hard to keep believing when you know you’ve been deceived.
To face a lie and dare to try again,
But there’s nothing like a woman with a spell of make believe
To make a new believer of a man.
Duvalier took the fickle turns of fortune in his stride
Expecting next to nothing out of life.
Till fortune found a girl who fanned a flame he thought had died
Whose burning beauty cut him like a knife.
She touched him through the senses that his mind could not control.
Then smiling stepped aside and watched him fall.
Betrayed by his own body and the hunger in his soul
Duvalier was a dreamer after all.
[CHORUS:]
Oh, it’s hard to keep believing when you know you’ve been deceived.
To face a lie and dare to try again,
But there’s nothing like a woman with a spell of make believe
To make a new believer of a man.