Set Me Free
Xavier Rudd & Izintaba Lyrics
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Built on hopeless foundations of lies and deceit
We stand in this river completely unknown
The sacred Lake Tahoe has truth in it′s flow
Ancestors work slowly with things we must seeand I feel it has come, my time for release
Will you set me free
I feel it has come, my time for release
Will you set me free
Will you set me free
I feel it has come, my time for release
Will you set me free
Let me flyand I sink down below, the surface is rage
Holding on to a boulder, surrender with graceand I think of my first-born, these times and his placeand his beauty and wisdom and all gentle ways
Watches over his brother, like the lion he isand he knows what he knows, and he sees what he sees
Would you set me free
The feel it has come, my time for release
Will you set me freeand I know what I know, and I see what I seewould you set me freeand I feel it has come, my time for release
Will you set me free
Let me fly
Young lazy French kid who ruined our world
With the ways of his father passed through his bones
Was it once was it twice was it nothing at all
It was inside my temple it was inside my homeand I look in this mirror with patience and griefand I know what I know, and I see what I see
Would you set me freeand I feel it has come, my time for release
Will you set me freeand I know what I know, and I see what I see
Would you set me free
Let me fly
My feel it has come, my time for release
Will you set me free
Let me fly
Gave my heart to you
Gave me soul to you
Gave it all to youon my knees
Gave my heart to you
Gave me soul to you
Gave it all to youon my knees
Rising up (set me free), falling down
Rising up, falling down
Rising up (set me free), falling down (let me fly)
I feel it has come, my time for release
Will you set me free
The lyrics to Xavier Rudd and Izintaba's song Set Me Free evoke a sense of longing for release from the burdens of the past and the present. The song starts with a reference to Reno, a city built on deceit and lies, which may symbolize the deception and distrust that pervades the world. The chorus repeatedly asks for someone to set the singer free as he feels his time for release has come.
The song builds up to a powerful climax in which the singer hopes to be freed from the weight of his past. He thinks of his first-born, his beauty, and wisdom, hoping that he's watching over his brother like a lion. Finally, the lyrics touch on the young lazy French kid who ruined the world with the ways of his father, likely referencing the ecological fallout from the actions of the powerful who disregard the consequences of their actions.
Overall, the song Set Me Free is an appeal to be liberated from the weight of the past, the present, and the future. The lyrics make a powerful statement on the need for release and the importance of looking to the future and the next generation.
Line by Line Meaning
This place called reno, things unforseen
Reno is an unpredictable place, with unforeseen circumstances
Built on hopeless foundations of lies and deceit
Reno was built on false foundations, causing hopelessness
We stand in this river completely unknown
We are in unfamiliar territory, unaware of what is to come
The sacred Lake Tahoe has truth in it's flow
Lake Tahoe is a holy body of water that has truth in it
Ancestors work slowly with things we must see, and I feel it has come, my time for release
Our ancestors reveal things to us slowly, and I feel it's time for me to be released
Will you set me free
Asking for someone to give me my freedom
I know what I know, and I see what I see
I have my own knowledge and perspective on things
Let me fly and I sink down below, the surface is rage
If I'm not allowed to fly, I feel like I'm sinking into an angry state
Holding on to a boulder, surrender with grace
Holding on to something heavy but giving up with grace
and I think of my first-born, these times and his place
Thinking of my oldest child and where they fit in during these times
and his beauty and wisdom and all gentle ways
Thinking about my child's positive qualities and gentle nature
Watches over his brother, like the lion he is
My child is protective of their sibling, like a lion
Would you set me free
Asking for freedom
Young lazy French kid who ruined our world
A young, idle French person who caused harm to our world
With the ways of his father passed through his bones
He inherited the behaviors of his father
Was it once was it twice was it nothing at all
Unclear if something happened once, twice, or not at all
It was inside my temple it was inside my home
Whatever happened affected me personally
and I look in this mirror with patience and grief
I look at myself in the mirror with patience and sadness
Let me fly
Asking for freedom
Gave my heart to you, Gave me soul to you, Gave it all to you on my knees
Showing devotion and giving everything to someone
Rising up (set me free), falling down
Going through ups and downs in my quest for freedom
I feel it has come, my time for release
I believe it's time for me to be released from whatever is holding me back
Will you set me free
Asking for someone to give me my freedom
Writer(s): Andile Nqubezelo, Xavier Rudd, Isaac Moloantoa
Contributed by Jeremiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.