Living for the freedom

Lyrics

[Intro — Spoken over engine rumble] Some men are born to follow. Some men are born to kneel. But some of us hear thunder in our hearts... And chase what other men only feel. [Verse 1] I was seventeen with a matchbook dream, A hand-me-down jacket and faded jeans, Mama on the porch with tears in her eyes, Daddy said, "Boy, don't waste your life." But the highway called like a midnight choir, White lines glowing like holy fire, I threw my pain in a gasoline tank, Kicked that engine and never looked back. Had a pocket full of nothing, And a soul full of scars, A cheap guitar riding In the back of the car. I didn't know where I was going, But I knew what I was leaving, A town full of chains And a heart still believing. [Pre-Chorus] The world said, "Settle down." I said, "Not today." The devil said, "Sell your soul." I said, "Get out my way." I heard the thunder rolling, I felt the blacktop breathing, And every mile kept screaming: [Chorus] I'm living for the freedom, For the fire in my chest, For the roar of the engine When the world won't let me rest. I'm living for the freedom, For the lost and the brave, For the ones who'd rather die standing Than live like a slave. I don't need your crown, I don't want your cage, I was born to light a wildfire In a cold, controlled age. I'm living for the freedom, Till my final breath is gone, And when they lay me in the ground, Let the engines carry on. [Verse 2] I met an old man outside Memphis, With a Bible and a blade, Said he'd buried three brothers And survived two graves. He had road dust on his shoulders, Silver in his beard, A thousand-yard stare Like he fought through fear. He said, "Son, this life will test you, It'll bend you till you break, It'll offer you comfort For the dreams it'll take." "Don't trade your soul for a paycheck, Don't bow for a name, Don't let no man buy you With a collar and a chain." Then he pointed at the sunrise With a burned-up cigarette, Said, "You ain't truly living Till you've got something to protect." [Pre-Chorus] He said, "Love like a sinner, Stand like a saint, Fight for the broken When the strong turn away." "Ride for the truth, Even bleeding and beaten, And when they ask what you stand for, Tell 'em what you're breathing." [Chorus] I'm living for the freedom, For the fire in my chest, For the roar of the engine When the world won't let me rest. I'm living for the freedom, For the lost and the brave, For the ones who'd rather die standing Than live like a slave. I don't need your crown, I don't want your cage, I was born to light a wildfire In a cold, controlled age. I'm living for the freedom, Till my final breath is gone, And when they lay me in the ground, Let the engines carry on. [Post-Chorus] Oh-oh-oh, Let the engines carry on. Oh-oh-oh, Freedom ain't dead and gone. [Verse 3] I saw factories closing, Saw good men fall, Saw mothers counting pennies In a grocery store aisle. Saw preachers sell heaven, Saw kings sell lies, Saw the working man buried While the rich got by. I saw boys become soldiers, Saw girls lose faith, Saw a whole generation Told to smile through pain. But under every broken dream, There was still a spark, A rebel little rhythm Beating deep in the dark. So I raised my fist to the lightning, Put my boot to the floor, Said, "I ain't running from the battle. I was born for the war." Not a war against people, Not a war against love, But a war against chains And the hands that make 'em up. [Bridge — Half-time, heavy drums] No masters. No chains. No silence. No shame. No surrender. No disguise. No more living Half alive. If they build a wall, We'll climb it. If they lock the gate, We'll find it. If they kill the dream, We'll raise it. If they steal the song, We'll play it. 'Cause freedom ain't a slogan On a flag or a sign. It's the fire in your spirit When they come for your mind. It's the hand that helps another. It's the truth you won't deny. It's the sound of every engine Underneath an open sky. [Guitar solo) [Final Chorus] I'm living for the freedom, For the fire in my chest, For the roar of the engine When the world won't let me rest. I'm living for the freedom, For the lost and the brave, For the ones who'd rather die standing Than live like a slave. I don't need your crown, I don't want your cage, I was born to light a wildfire In a cold, controlled age. I'm living for the freedom, Till my final breath is gone, And when they lay me in the ground, Let the engines carry on. Outro — Spoken over fading guitars and engines] When my road finally ends,Don't dress me up like a saint. Lay me down in leather,With the dust still on my face. Don't say I lived perfect.Don't say I lived clean. Just say I lived for the freedom... And the freedom lived in me.