I wish I knew how it would feel to be free
I wish I could break all the chains holding me
I wish I could say all the things that I should say
Say 'em loud, say 'em clear
for the whole round world to hear.
I wish I could share all the love that's in my heart
Remove all the bars that keep us apart.
I wish you could know what it means to be me
Then you'd see and agree
that every man should be free
I wish I could give all I'm longin' to give
I wish I could live like I'm longin' to live
I wish I could do all the things that I can do
Though I'm way over due I'd be starting anew
Well I wish I could be like a bird in the sky
How sweet it would be if I found I could fly
I'd soar to the sun and look down at the sea
And I'd sing cos I know - yea
And I sing cos I know - yea
And I'd sing cos I know
I'd know how it feels
I'd know how it feels to be free
Yea Yea I'd know how it feels
Yes I'd know
I'd know
How it feels
How it feels
To be free
Written by Jazz pianist William Taylor and Richard Lamb.
Sung by Nina Simone
We're loving the British crime drama Life on Mars. I was completely won over by episode 5 (season 1) which ended with this song. A nice surprise that caught me off-guard. Episode 7 ended with "Sinnerman." Someone in charge of music likes Nina Simone.