Free Bird
Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see

But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird, you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change

Bye-bye baby, it's been sweet love, yeah, yeah
Though this feelin' I can't change
But please don't take it so badly
'Cause Lord knows, I'm to blame

But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird, you cannot change

Lord knows, I can't change
Lord help me, I can't change




Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lynyrd Skynyrd's song "Free Bird" are believed to be about the freedom and longing for exploration and new experiences. The song begins with the lines, "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" suggesting the singer's desire to leave and go on a new adventure. Throughout the song, the lyrics hint at the idea of leaving behind familiar and comfortable surroundings to explore new places.


The chorus, "I'm as free as a bird now, and this bird you cannot change," repeats throughout the song and appears to be a metaphor for personal freedom and the impossibility of changing one's core identity. The lyrics also suggest a sense of regret, with the singer acknowledging his responsibility for the changes in his life but not being able to change himself.


The final verse of the song, "Won't you fly high, free bird," seems to symbolize a release and acceptance of one's own limitations and surrendering to one's own destiny. The song ultimately seems to be about the tension between a desire for personal freedom and the inevitability of change and growth.


Line by Line Meaning

If I leave here tomorrow
If I had to leave today for other places that are calling me


Would you still remember me?
Would you still recall my memories years from now?


For I must be traveling on now
Because I have paths to explore and sights to see


'Cause there's too many places I've got to see
Because there are so many places I want to explore


But if I stay here with you, girl
If I decided to stay with you


Things just couldn't be the same
Our relationship would not stay the way it is


'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
Because I feel as free as a bird can be


And this bird you cannot change
My freedom is what makes me unique, and nobody can take it away


Oh, oh, oh, oh
Musical Interlude


And the bird you cannot change
I'm reminding you again that nobody can change me


And this bird, you cannot change
This is just to create a poetic effect


Lord knows, I can't change
This is who I am, and I can't be changed


Bye-bye baby, it's been sweet love, yeah, yeah
Goodbye, my dear, it's been a pleasure to love you


Though this feelin' I can't change
Despite the love, I can't deny the pull of adventure calling me


But please don't take it so badly
Please don't be hurt or angry by my decision


'Cause Lord knows, I'm to blame
I acknowledge the role I play in this situation


But if I stay here with you, girl
If I decided to stay with you


Things just couldn't be the same
Our relationship would have to change


'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
My sense of freedom cannot be dimmed


And this bird you cannot change
I'm just making sure you understand my state of mind


Oh, oh, oh, oh
Musical Interlude


And the bird you cannot change
I'm repeating it to create an effect


And this bird, you cannot change
It's just the same with the other line as it creates a poetic effect


Lord knows, I can't change
I refuse to be changed or confined


Lord help me, I can't change
I'm asking for higher power to guide me


Lord, I can't change
I can't be somebody that I'm not


Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
Calling to the bird to spread its wings and fly freely




Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@CasimirLeYeti

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see

But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same

'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows I can't change

Bye-bye, baby, it's been a sweet love, yeah-yeah
Though this feeling I can't change
But, please, don't take it so badly
'Cause Lord knows I'm to blame...



@benharmonics

0:00 intro, part 1
0:35 intro, part 2

1:08 verse 1
1:41 chorus 1

2:36 bridge

3:08 verse 2
3:41 chorus 2

4:42 epicness begins

4:55 guitar solo, part 1.1
5:09 guitar solo, part 1.2
5:22 guitar solo, part 1.3
5:35 guitar solo, part 1.4
5:47 guitar solo, part 1.5
6:00 guitar solo, part 1.6

6:06 guitar solo, part 2.1
6:19 guitar solo, part 2.2
6:32 guitar solo, part 2.3
6:45 guitar solo, part 2.4
6:57 guitar solo, part 2.5
7:10 guitar solo, part 2.6

7:22 guitar solo, part 3.1
7:35 guitar solo, part 3.2
7:47 guitar solo, part 3.3
8:00 guitar solo, part 3.4

8:13 guitar solo, part 4.1
8:26 guitar solo, part 4.2
8:39 guitar solo, part 4.3
8:52 guitar solo, part 4.4
9:05 guitar solo, part 4.5 (cut off by the fadeout)



@dongalantamon21

Lyrics

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see

But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same

'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows I can't change

Bye-bye, baby, it's been a sweet love, yeah-yeah
Though this feeling I can't change
But, please, don't take it so badly
'Cause Lord knows I'm to blame

But, if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same

'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows I can't change
Lord, help me, I can't change

Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah



@jackspry9736

RIP the ten members of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ronnie Van Zant (January 15, 1948 ā€“ October 20, 1977), aged 29
Cassie Gaines (January 9, 1948 ā€“ October 20, 1977), aged 29
Steve Gaines (September 14, 1949 ā€“ October 20, 1977), aged 28
Larry Junstrom (June 22, 1949 ā€“ October 5, 2019), aged 70
Ed King (September 14, 1949 ā€“ August 22, 2018), aged 68
Bob Burns (November 24, 1950 ā€“ April 3, 2015), aged 64
Gary Rossington (December 4, 1951 ā€“ March 5, 2023), aged 71
Leon Wilkeson (April 2, 1952 ā€“ July 27, 2001), aged 49
Billy Powell (June 3, 1952 ā€“ January 28, 2009), aged 56
Allen Collins (July 19, 1952 ā€“ January 23, 1990), aged 37
You will always be remembered as legends.



@iZonit

I love how this video is a huge plast of history.
I mean not just the song, but the comments.

Will this be about someone's dad suddenly and sadly dying as of cancer, the death of Skydog, the death of Selen...

This song is one of the masterpieces that don't leave you bored. I always miss a person I loved, and this song keeps the bad thoughts off.

I always was, am, and will be here.

#Freebird.



All comments from YouTube:

@skullfrfx

"But your honor, Freebird was playing."

@TwoStageTrigger

Why were you going 120 in a school zone?
Kickstart my heart was playing.

Understandable, have a nice day.

@SaulGoodman-ll6ok

Not guilty

@splinter82

They where grinding the axe and so did i.

@joanbonnet8229

Case dismissed!

@number1dad610

Lmao šŸ¤£

87 More Replies...

@scrp6638

ā€œStealth is optional for this mission.ā€

@prophecy5886

Not anymore.

@justin2308

Cowabunga it is, then.

@hadesvanir8149

And so is my mercy

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