While leading worship at a Christian youth camp, the father of one of the children videotaped Watson's performance and sent it to a Nashville industry rep. His debut LP, Workin' in the Final Hour, followed in 1980. A series of albums like 1982's New Lives for Old, 1984's Man in the Middle and 1985's Giants in the Land followed before his breakthrough record, the Grammy-nominated Watercolor Ponies, appeared in 1987.
Watson also notched well over a dozen Dove Award nominations, and launched a number of CCM chart-toppers including "The Class of '95," "Be in Her Eyes," "A Beautiful Place." "Walk in the Dark," "More of You," "It's Time," "Home Free" and "Almighty."
In 1995 he signed to Warner/Alliance to issue Field of Souls; The Way Home followed three years later. Appropriately, his song "For Such a Time as This" was used as the theme for the 1999 season premiere of CBS's popular series Touched by an Angel, reflecting Watson's own growing popularity in the secular music arena. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Freedom
Wayne Watson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From a secret side of town
No mistaking, walls are shaking
Walls are breaking down
You can walk across the border tonight
Unafraid to cross that line
Breathe the fresh air, kiss the free ground
Leave your dark shadows behind
What will you do with your new liberation
Open your heart to the God of Creation
Freedom
People cry for freedom
Freedom without Jesus
Is just another war
Freedom
Give the people freedom
Give the people Jesus
Or they've got nothing at all
Wise and foolish mellow life
Visualizing peace
And it's coming to pass, freedom at last
It's coming into reach
So don't be fooled by a foolish war
Called out for a higher ground
'Cause when the time comes and the battles are won
Nothing's gonna hold me down
So don't you mourn and say how you'll miss me
When you hear the horn, come and go with me
Freedom
People cry for freedom
Freedom without Jesus
Is just another war
Oh-oh, freedom
Give the people freedom
But give the people Jesus
Or they've got nothing at all, no, no
Freedom
People cry for freedom
Freedom without Jesus
Is just another war, yeah, yeah
Freedom
Oh, give the people freedom
Give the people Jesus
Or they've got nothing at all
They got nothing, no
Freedom
People cry for freedom
Freedom without Jesus
Oh, is just another war, yeah, yeah
Freedom
Give the people freedom
Oh, and give the people Jesus
Or they've got nothing at all, no, no, no
The lyrics to Wayne Watson's song "Freedom" speak of the desire for freedom - not just a physical freedom, but a spiritual freedom as well. The opening lines, "Coming to you live by satellite / From a secret side of town," suggest that the message of freedom is being broadcasted to those who may not have heard it before. The lyrics go on to describe the breaking down of walls - both physical and metaphorical - and the newfound ability to cross borders without fear. The message is one of hope and liberation - leaving the past behind and embracing the new-found freedom.
The lyrics also emphasize the need for a higher power in achieving true freedom. The lines "What will you do with your new liberation / Open your heart to the God of Creation" suggest that true freedom can only come from a spiritual awakening and a connection with a higher power. This is re-emphasised in the chorus, which speaks of the need for the people to have Jesus along with their freedom.
Overall, the message of the song seems to be twofold: freedom is something that everyone desires, but true freedom can only be achieved through a spiritual awakening and a connection with a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Coming to you live by satellite
Broadcasting from a hidden location using satellite technology
From a secret side of town
From a place that is not widely known or advertised
No mistaking, walls are shaking
The power of freedom is strong and transformative
Walls are breaking down
Barriers that once divided people are being eliminated
You can walk across the border tonight
You are free to move across boundaries without fear
Unafraid to cross that line
Because you are no longer held back by fear or oppression
Breathe the fresh air, kiss the free ground
Experience the joy and relief of being truly free
Leave your dark shadows behind
Let go of the past and move forward with hope and optimism
What will you do with your new liberation
How will you use the freedom that you now have
Open your heart to the God of Creation
Embrace a higher power as the source of your newfound freedom and strength
Freedom
The state of being free from oppression or confinement
People cry for freedom
Freedom is a fundamental human desire that inspires many to action
Freedom without Jesus
True freedom requires a spiritual transformation that only Jesus can provide
Is just another war
Without spiritual liberation, freedom can become a violent struggle
Give the people freedom
Empower others to be free and independent
Give the people Jesus
Introduce others to the spiritual liberation that comes through faith in Jesus
Or they've got nothing at all
Without Jesus, true and lasting freedom is impossible
Wise and foolish mellow life
Both wise and foolish people seek a peaceful and fulfilling existence
Visualizing peace
Imagining a world without conflict or suffering
And it's coming to pass, freedom at last
The dream of true freedom and peace is becoming a reality
It's coming into reach
The goal of true freedom is becoming achievable and tangible
So don't be fooled by a foolish war
Don't be misled by conflicts and battles that distract from the pursuit of freedom
Called out for a higher ground
Strive for a higher purpose and a more noble pursuit
Cause when the time comes and the battles are won
Eventually, the struggle for freedom will be victorious
Nothing's gonna hold me down
Once free, nothing can keep you enslaved or oppressed
So don't you mourn and say how you'll miss me
Don't be sad or regretful when I am no longer held back by captivity or oppression
When you hear the horn, come and go with me
When the time of liberation comes, be ready to join in the celebration and movement toward freedom
Oh-oh, freedom
Expressing the joy and elation of experiencing true freedom
They got nothing, no
Without true and lasting freedom, people have nothing at all
Oh, is just another war, yeah, yeah
Without spiritual liberation, freedom can become just another violent and futile struggle
Contributed by Bella W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Omegaw770
Thanx..find this song..sweet memory in 92 when God found me & made brandnew..
@georgewettig1860
praise God ! Wayne your songs are Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@richardbowman9432
Awesome song praise the Lord people do need Jesus
@awesomeyorkiesbyshiloh8387
I saw Wayne Watson live outside of Vancouver in 1991 at SonFest. Awesome Man of God. Bless you Wayne. Love your music and your message.
@thinkmakemoney
Great Song.
@jarodcarnarvon358
Great song!!! Takes me back to the early 1990s......
@revbradl
This song came to my mind as I am watching the events in Egypt (12/7/12). The Arab Spring brought "freedom" from some dictators, but the vacuum is not being filled with Jesus... As Wayne sings: "Freedom without Jesus is just another war!"
@AJay-jh5xj
Playing (blaring) this song driving through my "sanctuary" city.
@anthonyandmichellevalverde6363
I remember this from the age of 10 11 years and I still get the same feeling all over again when I hear it <3
@matthewweaver5610
Grew up with this great song...where/what has happened to Wayne?