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)