[Verse 1]
You 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

[Chorus 1]
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?

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus 2]
Everything has got to be free
Eagle's got to fly naturally
Everything has got to be free
Why not you? Why not me?

[Verse 3]
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
[Chorus 1]
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