To Be Free
Mike Oldfield Lyrics


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You find yourself alone, sometimes
Without a home, no protection
You don't know which way to go
You're lost, no direction

(then) Suddenly, out of the blue (the printed lyrics include 'then', but it's not in the song)
Some kind of magic comes to you
You don't know how, you don't know why
But someday, gonna take off, (and) fly (again, this 'and' is written there but isn't actually sung)

(wish, make a wish)

My wish would be...

To be free
To be wild
And to be
Just like a child
And if I get lost
I really don't mind
'cause I'm me
Doing just fine

You're out in the cold, sometimes
As far as you can see, misty
And you want to run, into the sun
The road is lost, sand shifty

(then) Suddenly, out of the blue
Some kind of magic pushes you through
You don't know when, how or why
But someday, gonna take off and fly

And if I had a wish, my wish would be...

To be free
To be wild
And to be
Just like a child
And if I get lost
I really don't mind
'cause I'm me
Doing just fine

To be free
To be wild
And to be
Just like a child
And if I get lost
I really don't mind
'cause I'm me
Doing just fine

To be free
To be wild
And to be
Just like a child
And if I get lost
I really don't mind
'cause I'm me
Doing just fine





Just like a child

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mike Oldfield's song To Be Free describe the search for freedom and direction. The singer finds themselves alone, without a home or protection, lost and directionless. Suddenly, some kind of magic comes to them, and they feel like they can take off and fly. They make a wish to be free, wild, and just like a child, not afraid of getting lost because they know they're doing just fine on their own. The second verse talks about being out in the cold, wanting to run towards the sun but not knowing the way. Then, again, some kind of magic shows them the way and pushes them through. The chorus repeats the wish to be free, wild, and like a child, not fearing getting lost because they're confident in themselves.


The song can be interpreted as a call to break free from the bounds of society and embrace one's individuality. The singer is lost and alone until they embrace their sense of self and allow themselves to be free. The idea of being "just like a child" suggests a desire to return to a simpler time when life wasn't so complicated by societal expectations and responsibilities. The repeated assertion that the singer doesn't mind getting lost is a way of saying that sometimes wandering off the beaten path is the only way to find oneself.


Line by Line Meaning

You find yourself alone, sometimes
There are times when you feel lonely


Without a home, no protection
You feel vulnerable and unprotected as you don't have a home


You don't know which way to go
You are unsure about the direction you need to take


You're lost, no direction
You are lost and have no clear direction


Suddenly, out of the blue
All of a sudden, unexpectedly


Some kind of magic comes to you
There's a magical feeling that uplifts you


You don't know how, you don't know why
The reason for this magical feeling is unknown


But someday, gonna take off, fly
But you feel like one day you'll take off and soar like a bird


My wish would be...
If I could make a wish


To be free
I want to be independent


To be wild
I want to be free-spirited


And to be just like a child
I want to experience life with the wonder and curiosity of a child


And if I get lost, I really don't mind
If I lose my way, it won't bother me too much


'cause I'm me, doing just fine
Because I am who I am, and I am doing alright


You're out in the cold, sometimes
You feel isolated sometimes


As far as you can see, misty
It's unclear what the future holds


And you want to run, into the sun
You have a desire to move towards a brighter future


The road is lost, sand shifty
The right path seems uncertain and constantly changing


Some kind of magic pushes you through
Similar to before, you feel like there's some inexplicable force helping you along


And if I had a wish, my wish would be...
If I could make a wish, this is what it would be


Just like a child
I want to be like a child, unencumbered by adult worries and stresses




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MIKE OLDFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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