Wynonna Ellen Judd ( born Christina Claire Ciminella on May 30, 1964) is an… Read Full Bio ↴Wynonna Ellen Judd ( born Christina Claire Ciminella on May 30, 1964) is an American country music singer. Her solo albums and singles are all credited to the singular name Wynonna. Wynonna first rose to fame in the 1980s alongside her mother, Naomi, in the country music duo The Judds. The duo released seven albums on Curb Records, in addition to charting 26 singles, of which 14 were number one hits.

After The Judds disbanded in 1991, she then went to Texas Wynonna began a solo career, also on Curb. In her solo career, she has released eight studio albums, a live album, a holiday album and two compilation albums in addition to charting more than 20 singles of her own. Her first three singles—"She Is His Only Need", "I Saw the Light," and "No One Else on Earth"—all reached number one on the U.S. country singles charts consecutively, as did 1993's "Only Love" and 1996's, "To Be Loved by You." Three of her albums are certified platinum or higher by the RIAA. She released a new single, "Something You Can't Live Without," in March 2013. Her most recent recording, Wynonna & The Big Noise, was released on February 12, 2016 via Curb Records. Wynonna & the Big Noise are a country band lead by Wynonna and husband Cactus Mosher. Wynonna is most recognized for her musical work, although starting in the 2000s she has also pursued other interests, including writing, acting and philanthropy.

Free Bird
Wynonna Judd Lyrics

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If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me
For I must be travelin' on now
There's too many places I got to see

[Chorus]
And if I stay here with you boy
Things just couldn't be the same

'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change

Bye and bye baby it's been a sweet love
Oh this feelin' I can't change
Please don't take it so badly
Lord knows, I'm to blame

And if I stay here with you boy
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
And this 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
So won't you fly high free bird

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wynonna Judd's Free Bird are a reflection on the choices we make in life and the consequences those choices have on those around us. The singer states that if they were to leave tomorrow, would the other person still remember them. This statement is an acknowledgement that the singer's life choices may result in them being forgotten. However, the singer is willing to take that risk because they feel that they must continue on their journey, and there are too many places they have yet to see.

The chorus of the song is a declaration of the singer's freedom. They cannot stay in one place because they are as free as a bird. If they were to stay, things wouldn't be the same because the other person cannot change who they are or the choices they make. The singer acknowledges that they are to blame for any hurt that may be caused by them leaving, but ultimately they cannot change who they are or what they want in life. The song ends with the singer asking the "free bird" to fly high, indicating that they too are free and must continue on their own journey.

Overall, the song is a reflection on the conflict between personal freedom and the desire for love and companionship. The singer acknowledges the pain that their choices may cause but feels that they cannot compromise their own journey for the sake of others.

Line by Line Meaning

If I leave here tomorrow
If I happen to leave from here tomorrow

Would you still remember me
Will you still remember me, in case I leave

For I must be travelin' on now
For it's time for me to move on

There's too many places I got to see
There are many places I have to visit

And if I stay here with you boy
And If I decide to stay here with you

Things just couldn't be the same
Things would not remain the same

'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
Because now I'm as free as a bird

And this bird you cannot change
You cannot change this bird

Lord knows, I can't change
The lord knows that I cannot change

Bye and bye baby it's been a sweet love
Goodbye, baby, we had a lovely time

Oh this feelin' I can't change
This feeling inside me is unchangeable