Hold On
Embrace Freedom: Chris Smither's Poetic Journey of Defiance and Resilience
Lyrics
Let it fly and lonely cry, everybody's free
Expressing the idea of letting go and experiencing a sense of isolation, with the assertion that everyone has freedom.
I will decide how I'll be tied, but freedom, be there for me
The speaker asserts their control over their decisions and emphasizes the importance of freedom being present for them.
We'll build walls around our brain
Metaphorical reference to building mental barriers or defenses around one's thoughts.
Leave these prisons in our chains
Suggesting the need to break free from mental constraints or societal norms represented as prisons and chains.
And hold on
An exhortation to persevere or endure despite challenges or difficulties.
And I thought I had control, I tried
Reflecting on a past belief in having control but acknowledging its inadequacy.
But now I would be satisfied
Expressing a shift in perspective, finding contentment in simply holding on rather than striving for control.
To hold on
Reiterating the desire or determination to endure and persevere.
Tell me what to do, and I'll tell you what I'll say
Promising to speak truthfully when told what to do, emphasizing the speaker's commitment to personal freedom.
My freedom will be measured by the length to which I'll disobey
Linking the extent of freedom to the willingness to disobey instructions or norms.
Tell me where to go
Expressing a willingness to follow directions if provided, but not compromising personal freedom.
And I'll freely tell you no
A declaration of the right to say 'no' freely when told where to go.
And I will hold on
Reaffirming the commitment to hold on despite challenges or restrictions.
But leave me on my own
Highlighting the desire for independence but acknowledging the potential for self-imposed limitations.
And I'll lock these shackles to my bones
Symbolic imagery of self-imposed restrictions or burdens that the speaker is willing to endure.
And I'll hold on
Reiterating the determination to persevere and endure despite difficulties.
Freedom for the soul is what we want, but when it fades
Expressing the collective human desire for spiritual freedom and the tendency to undervalue it when obtained.
We'll treat it like a burden, till the devil feels he's underpaid
Suggesting a tendency to treat freedom as a burden when it becomes commonplace.
We'll drag that spirit door to door
Metaphorically describing the persistence of the human spirit, even when faced with challenges.
Till finally it can't move no more
Describing a relentless pursuit of freedom until it becomes unattainable.
It just holds on
Emphasizing the enduring nature of the human spirit, holding on despite difficulties.
Now the only thing that's truly free
Highlighting the freedom of expression through one's inner voice as the only true form of freedom.
Is this little voice that's telling me
Recognizing the inner voice as a source of true freedom, guiding the speaker to hold on.
To hold on
Final reinforcement of the message to persevere and endure despite challenges.
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