If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see

But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird, you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change

Bye-bye baby, it's been sweet love, yeah, yeah
Though this feelin' I can't change
But please don't take it so badly
'Cause Lord knows, I'm to blame

But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the 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
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah


Lyrics submitted by GUITARGOD612

Free Bird Lyrics as written by Ronnie Van Zant Allen Collins

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Free Bird song meanings
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172 Comments

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  • +7
    General Comment

    Again, saw this song live. It was AMAZING. They went off stage, as to say "we're not playing FreeBird" and the entire crowd started screaming and pounding on the seats. Finally, Billy came out and played a 10 minute piano solo that lead into FreeBird. It was amazing, then Johnny, Gary. and the rest of the band came out and played a 20 minute version of the song. I just can't say enough about it.

    Fly on proud bird, you're free at last

    Tuesdayz_goneon February 16, 2002   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    This song really hits home to me right now. I just broke up with a girl that i truely love. I'll be graduating from highschool in a few weeks and heading off to college a couple hours away. She is also graduating and going to college a few hours in the opposite direction. I ended our relationship on the fact that we would rarely be together and college life would take its toll on us. So my justification for ending the relationship was that I would rather end it now and save our friendship rather than get ripped and cheat on her making us hate each other. So enough with my rambling. A truely great song by an amazing band. Saw them live a couple years ago at the west virginia state fair. Great show, cant wait to see them again.

    bjackson1289on April 05, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This song is perfect for anytime you want to listen to music... it is truly unbeatable

    JayZ03on May 01, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I love this song so much! It always brings tears to my eyes.

    metalfan4everon April 21, 2007   Link
  • +3
    My Interpretation

    For me, this song reminds me of the relationship between myself and my mother. She worries so much about me almost all of the time. Also, I have no problem in saying that I "seek the world"; such a traveller at heart!! My mam isn't the best traveller when it comes to flying, so it's a real kick in the teeth for her.

    "I must be travelling on now, 'cause there's too many places I've got to see".

    Me, I can relate to this line sooooo much. My mam must accept that, one day, whether she likes it or not, she is going to have to let me go and do the things and see the things that I want to do and see.

    Me being an only child doesn't help, I suppose... but that's my two cents for this amazing song.

    FREE BIRD!!!!

    CARNLOUon September 07, 2011   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning

    It's been mentioned previously but I want to put this to bed once and for all... Allan Collins girlfriend asked him one day "if I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" That became the opening line of the song (the music was written a few years earlier) - there are no connections to Duane Allman - or to anybody dying. If they dedicated the song to Allman during a live gig then I can't comment on that but when the song was released, it wasn't dedicated to anyone - It was just a song about having to leave his Gf because he can't be held down (and this bird you cannot chain).

    MarkCox11on July 14, 2010   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    I am surprised that I am the first to comment on this classic song. I think it is about the breakdown of a relationshp.

    NorthernThunderon March 09, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    not to say that this band isnt the greatest (cause they are!!!) but can you actually believe that MCA Records wanted Skynyrd to actually cut this song from their debut album, saying that it was too long!!! Could you imagine Pronounced lehnerd skenerd w/o FREE BIRD I think not, and yes i have to agree i have seen them live 4 times, the last after Leon passed :(, but that song gets bigger and badder each time (Did i mention it got me intrigued enough to start playing guitar !!! )

    bahablazeon April 16, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i live in alabama, no way i couldnt love this song. its great all around. absolutely a classic i couldnt live without down here in the south. great little instrumental part always gets me pumpin.

    dr.jacobon May 03, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    lyrics seem self explanatory - a guy explaing to his girl why he's leaving her.

    turtonhoton May 17, 2002   Link

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