To travel life's highways the young and the old

Which path to turn on at the forks in the road

There's anger and heartache, depression and pain

Things that we do to keep from going insane

You got to be free, got to be free

Say you got to be now, got to be free, free, free, free, free (free)

To deal with the conscience of a tormented soul

You have to relax the mind from its rational hold

It's easy to burn out when you're thinking too much

So let it go and it will help you in your search to be free

Got to be free

Say you got to be now, got to be free, free, free, free, free (free)

Don't be an actor, music's a bust

It's not what you want to be

A lawyer, a doctor, the family trust

Blame it all on society

Just one of the masses that's doing time

Drowning in your misery

But sooner or later the picture comes clear

It's not where I want to be

Got to be free, got to be free

Say you got to be now, got to be free, free, free, free, free (free)

Should I stay or should I go

Enough of this foolish pride

Fighting a battle with my own ego

It's tearing me up inside

Bottle it up and stash it away

Things will get better, that's what they always say

Taking a chance, giving it up

I don't know, said I don't know what to do

Here it goes, I'm taking the plunge

Not sure where I'm going and I'm not on the run

No-one to lean on, no-one to please

All I've got is myself and this feeling that I've got to be free

Got to be free

Say you got to be, got to be free, free, free, free, free (free)

(Russell Ives;