Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird" Lyrics

The lyrics of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird" mean many things to many people. Proms, graduations and funerals have all used "Freebird." Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant wrote "Freebird," and appears on the band’s first album “Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd."

Lyrics

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 stayed here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird, you'll can not change
Oh, 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 a sweet love

Yeah, yeah
Though this feeling I can't change
But please don't take it so badly
'Cause the Lord knows
I'm to blame

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

And this 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?

About the lyrics

Allen Collins' girlfriend Kathy once asked, “If I leave here tomorrow, will you still remember me?” The two married in 1970. Collins was so struck by this question that he wrote it down. Eventually, it became the opening line in the song. While the song repeatss the phrase “free as a bird,” many times, only once do the lyrics contain the phrase “Freebird,” in the very last line of the song.

Or lack Thereof:

Since the plane crash in 1977 that killed several members of the band, including Ronnie Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd generally performs "Freebird" as an instrumental, omitting the lyrics from the song, which often led to the crowd singing the words. In 1989, Ronnie Van Zant’s younger brother Johnny Van Zant began singing the song again at live performances.

Traditionally, the audience at rock concerts shouts, “Freebird,” no matter which band performs — an act that often results in a performance of the song. This tradition apparently started when the band was recording their first live album, “One for the Road,” in 1976. Ronnie Van Zant asked the crowd at a concert, “What song is it you wanna hear?” Several shouts of “Freebird!” followed. They played the song, and at least one album has both the question and the shouted replies. The song, considered a Southern Rock anthem, has won numerous awards.