About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
Free Free Free lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
Read the lyric sheet
Intro
Metal gate clangs shut behind me… 6:07 a.m.
Verse 1
Plastic bag in my hand, everything I own Socks still smell like the laundry they gave us last week Cousin pulls up, don’t say much, just nods Car radio talking about things I don’t understand no more Billboards bigger, lights brighter, sky too damn blue I keep checking the mirrors like somebody still behind me
Pre-chorus
They said free… They said free…
Chorus
Free, free, free, that’s what the paper say Free, free, free, but the world don’t feel that way Free, free, free, bag in my hand, time in my veins Free… still locked in the first 24
Verse 2
Cousin’s couch got a spring that digs in my back Phone in my hand, every app asking for new accounts Try to order food, screen says I need a card I ain’t had a card in six years, man Old number dead, three-tone beep like a flatline Somebody I used to know hung up when they heard my voice
Pre-chorus
They said free… They said free…
Chorus
Free, free, free, that’s what the paper say Free, free, free, but the world don’t feel that way Free, free, free, bag in my hand, time in my veins Free… still locked in the first 24
Verse 3
Walked the old corner, store got a new sign Kids I don’t know staring like I’m a ghost in daylight Dude I used to run with now got a job shirt on Looked at me funny, said “You good, fam?” then kept walking Yellow tape gone, but the feeling still there Whole block moved on while I was standing still
Pre-chorus
They said free… They said free…
Chorus
Free, free, free, that’s what the paper say Free, free, free, but the world don’t feel that way Free, free, free, bag in my hand, time in my veins Free… still locked in the first 24
Bridge
Phone rings, automated voice, parole check-in Stay in your zone, don’t miss your appointment, sir I almost called the old crew, thumb hovering over the screen Put it down. Ain’t nobody waiting on the other end
Verse 4
Borrowed clothes don’t fit right, feel like somebody else TV talking about a world I missed while I was gone Clock on the wall ticking like it’s mad at me Midnight and I’m still on prison time Lights off but I can’t close my eyes
Verse 5
Same numb hum in my chest that started at 6:07 Bag still sitting on the floor where I dropped it No big lesson, no tears, no plan Just another hour turning into the next one Free… still locked in the first 24 [Chorus Free, free, free, that’s what the paper say Free, free, free, but the world don’t feel that way Free, free, free, bag in my hand, time in my veins Free… still locked in the first 24
Inside the recording
Metal gate clangs shut behind me… 6:07 a.m.
They said free… They said free…
Same numb hum in my chest that started at 6:07 Bag still sitting on the floor where I dropped it
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.