I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want.

I don't have to be what you want me to be.

White people just don't want their slaves to be free. That's the whole thing.

I didn't want to submit to the army and then, on the day of judgment, have God say to me, 'Why did you do that?' This life is a trial, and you realize that what you do is going to be written down for Judgment Day.

I know I got it made while the masses of black people are catchin' hell, but as long as they ain't free, I ain't free.

I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want.