I've been stemmin' for change
And singin' in these streets now
Long as I care to recall
The dank little lounge room
In the Roosevelt hotel
My idea of a holiday

Every once in a while
A little old light shines
Through my tunnel
So I follow it like a moth
Flies to the flame

And just when I think
I got my world by the balls
I find I'm dancin' in the light again
Dancin' in the light
Of a speedin' freight train

I'm singin' it's hard
Livin' in the free world
An' gettin' saved by the bell
Most people find my company
To be strange as hell

Lookin' back on aspirations and dreams
My father he had in mind for me
The moon lights the tracks
And broken glass as I recall
Those plans I left so far behind

And I know better off
He never saw me this way
So he always told me,
Don't let the devil have his due

And I know my dad
Would turn over in his grave
To see me hog tied to the chain
Or dancin' in the light
Of a speedin' freight train

Singin' it's hard, livin' in the free world
Gettin' saved by the bell
An' people findin' my company
To be strange as hell

And it's only gettin' harder in this free world
With all my strugglin' and my strain
People find my sweet peace of mind
In the pourin' rain

As the storm moves in
Ain't no friends to be found
So I sit 'neath this dream
And bridge for a while
And it seems that my mind
Is in pieces on the ground, singin' it

And it's only gettin' harder in this free world
With all my strugglin' and my strain
Mostly find my Jesus
In the pourin' rain

I'ma livin' in the free world
I'ma livin' in the free world
I'ma servin' in the free world, hmm, hmm, yeah
I'ma livin' in the free world
I'ma servin' in the free world

Honey, yes I'm child call me priest
But, I' ma livin' in the free world
Living in the free world
Living in the free world
Living in the free world