ou can hold back
The rolling river
Damn it up
And keep it from the sea
But every day
That river's getting stronger
It's gonna break out
And roll naturally

Everything has got to be free
River's got to roll to the sea
Everything has got to be free
Why not you?
Why not me?

You can shoot down the soaring eagle
Watch him fall
And tumble to the ground
But his soul
Will just keep right on flying
Into the sky
He's homeward bound

Everything has got to be free
Eagle's got to fly naturally
Everything has got to be free
Why not you?
Why not me?

You can take me
And beat me down
Lock me up
And throw away the key
But a voice
Will rise from the silence
It will be heard
Just wait and see

Everything has got to be free
River's got to roll to the sea
Everything has got to be free
Why not you?
Why not me?
Everything has got to be free