Inspiration Behind Free Bird:
Although Lynyrd Skynyrd did dedicate Free Bird to Duane Allman following his death, this song was inspired by a conversation following a fight between guitarist Allen Collins and his wife Kathy. Collins’ opening line is a hypothetical question, “what would happen if I leave here tomorrow?” This one line stuck with lead singer Robbie Van Zant who turned this question into one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s greatest songs. Thinking about the free spirits of this era, Robbie writes about breaking free from social constraints. Free Bird addresses a desire for freedom and quest for self-discovery.
Biblical Application:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you, Galatians 5:1-8.
Exegesis of Free Bird:
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
No idea is neutral. Every choice has a consequence. If you pick up and leave, human nature causes you to wonder if you;ll be missed or remembered. Whether you’re talking about a band on tour ready to travel to their next destination or someone who simply wants to travel to see what else is out there, self-discovery must continue.
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn’t be the same
If Allen stays with his wife, things must change to avoid these heated arguments.
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Robbie writes about an individual’s inner desire for freedom.
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows I can’t change
Perhaps Robbie is thinking about how people want you to become someone that can be controlled to be conformed into what they desire instead of who you truly are as a person.
Bye-bye, baby, it’s been a sweet love, yeah, yeah
Though this feeling I can’t change
But, please, don’t take it so badly
‘Cause Lord knows I’m to blame
Selfish desires based upon impulses often cause relationships to end.
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn’t be the same
Let me be who I am instead of who you want me to become.
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now
And this bird, you’ll never change
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
And the bird you cannot change
Stubborn people won’t change unless some sort of life crisis arises.
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows I can’t change
Lord, help me, I can’t change
Robbie seeks a higher power, crying out to God in prayer to change.
Lord, I can’t change
Won’t you fly high, free bird, yeah
Like an alcoholic who doesn’t think they have a problem, self-admission, recognizing that you have a problem is the first step to change, being healed.
Final Thoughts:
As someone who loved taking spontaneous road trips in college, I understand the Free Bird spirit. Yet, as I have grown older and become a grandfather twice now, there is nothing like the feeling of being home. I still pursue freedom and self-discovery, but I do so in making sure that I find my place in this world. As the world evolves, you must adjust if you want to be effective engaging culture in a productive manner.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 