Some songs aren’t just music—they’re stories that sink deep into your soul, painting vivid pictures and evoking feelings you didn’t know you had. “Here Comes That Rainbow Again” by Kris Kristofferson is one of those rare gems. Inspired by a scene from John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath, the song captures a moment of pure human kindness, quietly beautiful and powerfully resonant.
With just a few lines, Kristofferson takes us back to a small roadside diner during the Great Depression. The scene unfolds like a cinematic masterpiece: two hungry children come in with only a few coins in their pockets, hoping for something to eat. They encounter a truck driver and a waitress who see beyond the kids’ poverty and offer them a meal, not out of pity, but out of shared humanity. There’s no grand gesture, just a small act of generosity—and sometimes, that’s what it takes to remind us of our shared hope.
Musically, the song is stripped down and simple, with Kristofferson’s signature gravelly voice bringing the lyrics to life. The melody flows gently, almost like a lullaby, carrying a warmth that wraps around you like a comforting embrace. It’s not flashy or overproduced, and that’s what makes it all the more real.
But what truly sets this song apart is its message. In a world that often feels divided, “Here Comes That Rainbow Again” is a reminder of the quiet power of compassion. It’s about how the smallest acts of kindness can brighten the darkest days, like a rainbow appearing after a storm. Every time you listen, it feels like a reminder to be that rainbow for someone else, to look for those small, tender moments that change lives.
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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