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I have satellite radio in my car, and every morning on the way to work, I listen to the news stations to stay caught up with world events. But when I return home in the evening, I treat myself to some bone-jarring classic rock. I look forward to the ride home – even if the traffic is heavy.
Driving home the other day, the song Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd came on. I cranked up the volume in anticipation, and prepared to enjoy the five-minute triple-guitar solo at the end of the song. But I had a revelation before the first chorus. I realized how much bad character this song disguises with flowery words and enticing riffs. Freebird is undoubtedly one of the best classic rock songs of all time. But it is also an anthem for selfishness and irresponsibility. Listen to the words:
If I leave here tomorrow,
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now,
‘Cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see.
But if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn’t be the same.
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now,
And this bird you cannot change.
Lord knows, I can’t change.
Bye, bye, it’s been a sweet love.
Though this feeling I can’t change.
But please don’t take it too badly,
‘Cause lord knows I’m to blame.
But if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn’t be the same.
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now,
And this bird you’ll never change.
And this bird you cannot change.
Lord knows, I can’t change.
Lord help me, I can’t change. (© Allen Collins/Ronnie Van Zant, 1973)
The key term in this song is free, and the key concept is freedom. But it is a freedom defined by a man who is inherently selfish. Freedom to him is the right to do what he pleases and what makes him happy, despite the consequences to others. It is a freedom that hides behind the author’s supposed inability to change. He even invokes the Lord’s testimony, “The Lord knows, I can’t change.” With apologies to the deceased Mr. Van Zant, this is not freedom – it is moral irresponsibility.
The Bible defines freedom differently.
“For you have been called to live in freedom — not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
“You are not slaves; you are free. But your freedom is not an excuse to do evil. You are free to live as servants of God.” (I Peter 2:16)
The biblical definition of freedom is a freedom from selfishness, a freedom that serves others rather than itself. It probably would not make a very good rock song, but it makes for a good life.
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