I Shall Be Released
Bette Midler Lyrics

They say everything can be replaced
People suggest that anything that has been lost or taken can be obtained or substituted.

That every distance is not near
The duration of time that can feel far away is not always associated with physical distance.

So I remember every face
Therefore, I retain the memory of each and every person who played a role in putting me in this situation.

Of every man who put me here
I recall the identity of each male who contributed to my present condition.

They say every woman needs protection
Society claims that all women require safeguards and measures to be kept safe.

Then they turn around and tell you
Yet, society simultaneously informs us that women are destined to face hardships and obstacles.

Every woman's got to fall
Women are bound to experience difficulties and bumps in the road, according to society.

I swear, I see my own reflection
I am convinced that my image or likeness can be found far away from my present location.

Somewhere far beyond this wall
It is possible that the reflection I perceive resides beyond the physical barrier I am currently confined within.

I see my life come shining
My existence and being are illuminated and radiant.

From the west down to the east
This radiance can be seen anywhere from the West to the East.

Any day now, any day now
I might be freed and released at any moment or time.

Now, yonder stands there in that lonely crowd
Over there stands a man in a group of people that appears to be lonely.

A man who swears he is not to blame, no, no
This man claims that he is not responsible for any wrongdoing, whatsoever.

And if you ask him has he ever seen this lonely woman?
If you inquire whether or not he has witnessed and recognizes me as the solitary female in question,

He'll tell you, 'No, no, no'
He'll deny that he has interacted with me or knows me at all.

What's more, he does not know my name
Additionally, he is not cognizant of or familiar with my identity.

But I see my light come shining
However, I perceive my aura or essence as being luminous and shining.

Shining, shining, shining from the west
This luminosity originates from the Western region.

Straight on down to the east
This light stretches effortlessly towards the East.

Ah, any day now, any, any old day now
It could happen at any moment or day, no matter how long it has been awaited.

I am going to, I am going to be released, yeah
I am undoubtedly going to be freed and let go.

They tell ya, they tell ya every woman
It is a widespread belief that all women

They tell ya every woman got to have protection
require different degrees of protection and safety measures to be taken.

Then they turn around and tell ya
However, the same individuals and society convey the message that

'No, we gonna make that a woman fall'
women are destined to face obstacles, adversity, and struggle at every turn they take.

Oh, god, I swear, I swear I see
My intuition is telling me that

I see my, my very own reflection
the image I recall seeing earlier was indeed my own likeness and persona.

Far and away beyond, way, way beyond these four walls
This perception of myself was located farther away and beyond the four walls that surround me.

That's right, I see, I see my life, my life
That is accurate, I perceive my existence and being.

My life is shining, shining, shining
This existence of mine is illuminated and radiant.

Shining, shining, shining, shining
This luminescence is incredibly intense and sustained.

From the west straight on down to the east
This radiance spans the distance between the West to the East unobstructedly.

And any day now, do you hear me?
I sound out to the world that the day of my inevitably approaching liberation is near.

Any day now, I shall be, I am going to be released
That day is imminent, and I shall be released from my limitations and captivity.

Woah, any day now, I shall see again
I will soon regain my ability to see and perceive with clarity.

Any day now, I shall be free again
I believe and anticipate that I will achieve my freedom shortly.

Any day now, they'll let me be again
I am sure that before long, they will allow me to return to my old way of life.

Oh, any day now, any day now, any day now
I am convinced, with every fiber of my being, that the day of my liberation is fast approaching.

Whoa, help me, any day, any day
I express a desperate plea for assistance and support, hoping that it will arrive before much longer.

Any old day now, yeah, any day now
Rather sooner than later, that long-awaited day of my release and freedom will arrive.