The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Isaiah 42:5-7; Jn. 8:31-36; Rom. 8:38-39
The sun was beating down inside
The walls of stone and razor wire
As we made our way across the prison yard
I felt my heart begin to race
As we drew nearer to the place
Where they say that death
Is waiting in the dark
The slamming doors of iron
Echoed through the halls
Where despair holds life
Within its cruel claws
But then I met a man
Whose face seemed so
Strangely out of place
A blinding light of hope
Was shining in his eyes
And with repentance in his voice
He told me of his tragic choice
That led him to this place
where he must pay the price
But then his voice grew strong
As he began to tell
About the one he said
Had rescued him from Hell, he said
I'm free, yeah, oh,
I have been forgiven
God's love has taken off my chains,
And given me these wings
And I am free, yeah, yeah
And the freedom I've been given
Is something that not even
Death can take away from me
Because I'm free
Jesus set me free
We said a prayer and said good-bye,
And tears began to fill my eyes
As I stepped back out into the blinding sun
And even as I drove away I found
That I could not escape
The way he spoke of what
The grace of God had done
I thought about how sin
Had sentenced us to die
And how God gave His only Son
So you and I could say
I'm free, yeah, oh,
I have been forgiven
God's love has taken off my chains,
And given me these wings
And I am free, yeah, yeah
And the freedom I've been given
Is something that not even
Death can take away from me
Because I'm free
Jesus set me free
And if the Son has set you free
Oh if the Son has set you free
Than you are free indeed,
Oh, you are really free
If the Son has set you free
Oh if the Son has set you free
Than you are free, really, really free, oh
We're free, yeah,
Oh we have been forgiven
God's grace has broken every chain,
And given us these wings
And we're free, yeah,
and the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even
death can take from you and me
Because we're free, yeah
and the freedom I've been given
Is something that not even
death can take away from me
Because we're free
We are free, we are free
The Son has set us free
If the Son has set you
You are free indeed
The sun was beating down inside
The walls of stone and razor wire
As we made our way across the prison yard
I felt my heart begin to race
As we drew nearer to the place
Where they say that death
Is waiting in the dark
The slamming doors of iron
Echoed through the halls
Where despair holds life
Within its cruel claws
But then I met a man
Whose face seemed so
Strangely out of place
A blinding light of hope
Was shining in his eyes
And with repentance in his voice
He told me of his tragic choice
That led him to this place
where he must pay the price
But then his voice grew strong
As he began to tell
About the one he said
Had rescued him from Hell, he said
I'm free, yeah, oh,
I have been forgiven
God's love has taken off my chains,
And given me these wings
And I am free, yeah, yeah
And the freedom I've been given
Is something that not even
Death can take away from me
Because I'm free
Jesus set me free
We said a prayer and said good-bye,
And tears began to fill my eyes
As I stepped back out into the blinding sun
And even as I drove away I found
That I could not escape
The way he spoke of what
The grace of God had done
I thought about how sin
Had sentenced us to die
And how God gave His only Son
So you and I could say
I'm free, yeah, oh,
I have been forgiven
God's love has taken off my chains,
And given me these wings
And I am free, yeah, yeah
And the freedom I've been given
Is something that not even
Death can take away from me
Because I'm free
Jesus set me free
And if the Son has set you free
Oh if the Son has set you free
Than you are free indeed,
Oh, you are really free
If the Son has set you free
Oh if the Son has set you free
Than you are free, really, really free, oh
We're free, yeah,
Oh we have been forgiven
God's grace has broken every chain,
And given us these wings
And we're free, yeah,
and the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even
death can take from you and me
Because we're free, yeah
and the freedom I've been given
Is something that not even
death can take away from me
Because we're free
We are free, we are free
The Son has set us free
If the Son has set you
You are free indeed
Lyrics submitted by ninjakitty1
Free Lyrics as written by Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I can't believe no one commented. This is one of the most powerful songs I've heard in my entire life. I can't listen to it without crying. I can't even find the words to describe it, it's just...wow. it's so good.