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Kris Kristofferson wrote this while living in a run-down tenement in Nashville when he was working as a janitor for Columbia Records. He was told if he was caught pitching songs to any artists he would be fired. He delivered this song personally to Johnny Cash after landing his National Guard helicopter in Cash's front yard - the best way he could think of to get Cash's attention. This song was #1 on the Country charts for 2 weeks in September 1970. (thanks, Chris - Bristolville, OH)

In a 2009 Rolling Stone article about Kris Kristofferson that was written by Ethan Hawke, it explains that Kris made Johnny Cash listen to the song before removing the helicopter. After hearing it Cash said he "liked his songs so much that I would take them off and not let anybody else hear them."
Cash recorded the song live on The Johnny Cash Show, and before the show, ABC censors asked him to change the lyrics, "Wishing, Lord, that I was stoned" to "Wishing, Lord, that I was home." Cash sang it the way Kristofferson wrote it, and even stressed the word "stoned."

The original version of this song was recorded by Ray Stevens in 1969. At the 2009 BMI Country Awards, at which Kristofferson was honoured as an icon, he recalled how Stevens took a chance on his tune, when he was still an unknown songwriter: "Nobody had ever put that much money and effort into recording one of my songs," Kristofferson said. "I remember the first time I heard it — he's a wonderful singer — I had to leave the publishing house and I just sat on the steps and wept because it was such a beautiful thing."Stevens added that he was drawn to the song because he felt Kristofferson had a "spark." "He was very talented, very smart and right on time with his style," Stevens recalled. "A lot of people since then have copied those songs that he put out so at this point in time it doesn't seem all that different. It still is of course. There are very few writers who get that spark at the right time."

Comments:

Ray Steven's version is my favourite ever.
- Syl, Moncton, NL

Personally, I prefer hearing Kristofferson himself singing the song. Cash's version is good and all but Kris's version is just completely devistating! His rough "whiskey voice" makes it all the more convincing. I'm so glad i'm not the only one who feels Kris is overlooked far too often when it comes to his songwriting. The man is absolutley BRILLIANT and took songwriting to an entirely new depth. To me, he's the BEST...hands down.
- dAPHNE, Ohio Valley, OH

No fluff to be found here, nosiree! Damn, but didnt' Johnny's voice sound like an old steam locomotive coming down the tracks? Couple that booming bass voice with Kristofferson's haunting lyrics, and you have a timeless classic. Sometimes, the best words are those that really hit harder with contradiction, as on this one "So I fumbled through my closet/Through my clothes and found my cleanest dirty shirt" Simply brilliant! Another example from Roger Waters: "Well, you wore out your welcome/With random precision"
- oldpink, New Castle, IN

"And the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad, so I had one more for dessert" In 1998 I began a ritual that I observe to this day. Every sunday morning I have one beer for breakfast and one mnore for dessert. Budweiser is my communion! Kristofferson was a rhoades scholar and one of the greatest songwriters ever. And only Cash could do this song justice!
- CD, Paragould Arkansas, AR

he was told when he performed it live, not to use the word "stoned" but he did anyway...
- leftykc, st joseph, MO

Proof Kristofferson is one of the great songwriters this country produced. The whole feel of the song is very relatable and fits great with Cash's gritty style. Surely one of Cash's best songs. Why Kristofferson is relatively unknown to most music fans is a mystery.
- Nathan, Defiance, OH

I was 14 years old when I heard this song.I was delivering papers that morning listening to my transistor radio.I immediately fell in love with it and it was the start of my fascination with Johnny Cash.A great man who overcame adversity and drug problems.I could write a book.Later I found out Kris wrote that song and automatically became a big fan of his of course.We miss you John,Waylon,June and many others.Kris,if you ever read this I saw a show with you in Pittsburgh in 74.You,Rita and Billy Swan.What a great show that was.ty for the memories
- Robert, Tionesta, PA

Kris Kristofferson's orginal lyric was "I smoked so much the night before my mouth was like an ashtray i'd been licking".....AMaZIng SoNg
- Kurtiz, Oklahoma City, OK

I like this song because when I was a little girl my mom used to listen to it. Now I listen to it every Sunday morning on my way to work at the cracker barrel. It is one of my ways of reminiscing.
- Ashleigh, 47116, IN

Ray Stevens first recorded this song but it went nowhere.Who could visualize Stevens having the rep to record this song? No one.But when Cash released his live version recorded from his TV show it became a classic because Cash had lived it.Kristofferson is a damn genius,pure and simple.So was Johnny Cash.
- Mark, byrdstown, TN

My favourite Kristofferson song along with Me And Bobby McGee. If you love the song and the guy, I highly recommend "Beyond Nashville" the third episode of the BBC documentary LOST HIGHWAY. He tells the story of the song, how he gave a bunch of songs to Cash through his guitar player Luther Perkins. He even explains what happened at the TV show Troy is talking about in his comment...the song was recorded there to be cut straight to a record. Turned out to be the 1970 song of the year at the Country Music Awards...
- P.A., Paris, France

Johnny Cash eventually got a lot more than "religion" -- he personally got Jesus Christ in his heart, sang in my church and other churches all over, he's been on Billy Graham's platform many times -- he had a complete change of heart and life after becoming a Christian. "Any one who asks Jesus into their heart becomes a Christian, the old stuff stops and everything becomes new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Sunday Morning (quit) Coming Down" after he was born over again! Adrian Travis
- Adrian, Jacksonville, FL

Awesome song.. I live on the oneida reservation up here in new york and theres a man named larry who is a alcoholic and wont be afraid to admit it.. this song/cd is always on at his house and if you can explain this man it one song this would be it... The way johhny sings is like "hey i dont care if i sound good im just gonna sing" and thats a admirable thing... plus johhny cash was involved a lot in uncovering the governments involvments with native americans so i respect him for that.. chuck "two feathers" george
- chuck, oneida, NY

I love this song because when I was little my dad used to wake me up to this song everyday when I would spend the night at his house. My dad is locked up now, not proud to say, but he is and this song means the world to me!!! So, if anyone loves this song, it would be me!!! RMA= KT, you will remember me when my name is in lights!!
- Lill KT, Sunny, NY

When I hear this song I think about people who have struggled with addiction and how they talk about a "moment of clarity." It seems this could be one of those moments that Kristofferson wrote about. I'm shocked that Cash didn't write it because it just seems to fit him so well.
- Brian, Chicago, IL

GREAT SONG. One of Cashes best. Kudos to Kristofferson.
- Jon, Oakridge, OR

Beautiful imagery and well written lyrics. I feel a sense of lonliness and despair yet a yearning for change. Possibilities could be the inability to battle past trials and tribulations that are deep rooted. However, the band aid of drug abuse isn't helping the person. Although, this song was written by Kris Kristofferson, it eerily resembles Johnny Cash's life.
- Ashley, Ottawa, Canada

Honesty, pure honesty in these lyrics. Genuiness makes for great music, and this song definitly does that.
- Angela, Nashville, TN

Johnny Cash...I feel ya. I love that no matter what song is playing you can just visualize the setting.
- ariel, denver, CO

I perfom this great song. Its awesome when you growl ou the line "So I had one for dessert" It hit a minor chord there and it is truly an amazing song
- kevin, Canada, Canada

This is a pretty good song because there is something in a Sunday that makes a body feel alone.
- Priscilla, Lonelytown, TN

This is a fantastic song
- Jim, Warrington, England

Kris Kristofferson is the greatest songwriter ever. This song pulls you in and makes you feel what is being said.
- clarence, brunswick, GA

when Cash performed this song on his abc variety hour he was asked to sing "I'm wishin Lord that i was home" rather than the version that he sang which is "I'm wishin Lord that i was stoned." He thought that it was only right to Kris Kristofferson to sing it that way.
- Troy, Humphrey, NE

the most beautiful song in the world
- chris, halifax, Canada

I really like this song! Really, Really like this song.
- Andi, I don't like it here, TX