I wrote a song about freedom. And it was a very me biased perspective. You probably can’t or won’t relate to the words at all when you read ’em. The main reason is, well, you’re not me. And that’s a mighty good thing.
Anyway…
My song about freedom was also influenced by life “on the road.”
Yeah, for a few years of my life, and mostly during my 30’s, I lived full-time “on the road.” (side note: I keep putting quotes around that phrase because I didn’t literally live on any road, it’s a metaphor)
So, I had a much different perspective on America than YOU. Because I saw a lot of places you’ll never see in this big country of ours. And I saw a lot of those places in the wee hours of the night when you were slumbering in your cozy, widdle beddy-bye.
Sorry, that was uncalled for. I’m sure you slept in dignified and stylish comfort just like any adult would.
But the point is, I travelled 100’s of thousands of miles while most people, except for truck drivers and other transporters, enjoyed a visit to Dreamtown.
And I didn’t just see, I also felt how freedom feels. Even though it was during years when so much of our freedoms were already fading into oblivion. But driving down those roads with barely any traffic was fab, man. And slowing down to cruise through the little burgs with no traffic lights (because there was no traffic) was smooth.
I could only imagine what the pioneers, who first traversed past the gateways to the west, must’ve felt. Open land. Big, open sky. Only the sounds of creatures and nature and the steady roll of wagon wheels or beats of hooves.
I was about to get “off the road” back in 1987. And I decided to head to Colorado, the state where I was born. Because I loved the mountain nights when you could see those giant, open skies. And I loved the wide open expanses across the prairies and down in the big valleys. So, in a bar, in Harrisonville, Arkansas, I stood at my keyboard and composed this song. My own send-off written to me. My own song about…
Freedom
I’m gunning for the gold medal, aiming for the sun dance.
Don’t wanna be a drifter all my life, I gotta take a new chance.
I’ve driven down the pipeline. I’ve seen so many street signs.
I’m headed back where I began.
I’ll try to make it mine; all mine.
And if I’ve even learned one thing,
It’s that the music never stops.
And if you dream inside a bubble,
You’ll be surprised when the bubble pops.
Oh, when the bubble pops!
Freedom; don’t want to lose my freedom.
I want to make my choice; make my voice be heard.
Freedom; I’m glad I have my freedom.
If all the world could see,
It would have to be the word. Freedom!
I’m shooting for the north star. And I’m tickling the silver strings.
I’m glad I have the chance to chase ideas and turn them into real things.
I’ve been down lots of broken roads,
Forgot about my Guiding Light.
But now I’m going back where I belong,
And everything is alright
And if I’ve even learned one thing,
It’s that the music never dies.
And if you never reach your rainbow,
At least you’ll see the bluer skies.
Yeah, the bluer skies.
Chorus…inst…repeat chorus
© 1987 Tony Funderburk
If you enjoy what I share, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the FunderFlash Journal, if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you daily flashes of light to help you focus on faith, hope, and love with me.
Stay tuned…
