[Intro — Hammond organ swell, tambourine on two and four. The preacher, spoken, over the organ:] Now I want to tell you about a bird. Didn’t knock. Didn’t ask. Just moved in. Can I get a witness? [Call and response — preacher calls, full choir answers, handclaps] Who lives among us? (Free bird!) Who asked permission? (Nobody!) Who shares the sky? (Everybody!) And who’s afraid? (Nobody!) [Verse 1 — gospel-blues lead, gritty, band settles into the stomp] There’s a bird on the wire in the morning Never asked me if it could stay Doesn’t care what I’ve got or who I am It just sings, and it goes on its way We build walls, it builds a nest We draw lines, it flies across In a world that’s busy choosing sides It’s the only one that never lost [Chorus — choir on every second line, organ up, big] Free bird (free bird) Without permission Free bird (free bird) No fear, no threat Nothing forced and nothing hidden Pull the cork and set it free [Verse 2 — the reverence verse, lead only, band pulls back a touch] Bush vines in the Swartland Old and low and left alone Syrah, Grenache and Cinsaut Three birds on the same stone Nothing forced, nothing complicated Sun and dust and a little time Something honest for the table Made to be opened, not explained [Chorus] Free bird (free bird) Without permission Free bird (free bird) No fear, no threat Nothing forced and nothing hidden Pull the cork and set it free [Bridge — band drops to organ and a slow clap. The preacher, spoken, building line by line:] Now hear this. I’m not free while I’m holding you down. And you’re not free while you’re holding me. Nobody’s free till everybody’s free. The bird knows it. It’s about time we did. [Build — choir repeats, band comes back double-time, organ screaming, handclaps] Nobody’s free (till everybody’s free) Nobody’s free (till everybody’s free) Nobody’s free (till everybody’s free) Nobody’s free (till everybody’s free) [Final Chorus — everything, twice, roof off] Free bird (free bird) Without permission Free bird (free bird) No fear, no threat Nothing forced and nothing hidden Pull the cork and set it free [Outro — band stops on one hit. Organ holds. Preacher, spoken:] Drink it freely. (Free bird!)
