Free, Set Free Angus McDonell	(Based on 4 votes)

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Lyrics

1. I'm shaking off these rusty chains;
I want to see the blue sky again;
no longer want to toil for what the world provides.
Too long inside this dark prison cell;
I need clear water from the well.
Don't want to walk without you by my side;
I want you by my side. So now I'm:
Refrain
Free, set free, how good it is to be freed by you, my Lord.
Free, set free, how good it is to be freed by you, my Lord.
2. Waking up to the light of truth,
I'm sayin' from now on I refuse
To live life that is bound by my own sinfulness.
You pulled me up from a life of waste,
So now for heaven I've acquired a taste,
A life so sweet within your righteousness,
within your righteousness. So, now I'm:

Refrain
Free, set free, how good it is to be freed by you, my Lord.
Free, set free, how good it is to be freed by you, my Lord.
Tag
You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free, set you free.

© 2001, Angus McDonell. Published by OCP. All rights reserved.

Artist Reflection

I submitted this song for consideration for the theme song for one of the Franciscan University high school youth conferences. Although it wasn't chosen, I enjoyed writing it and received a lot of positive feedback from friends as well as the folks at Franciscan University.

I liked the song so much that I decided to add it to the River of Life collection. The concept is so beautiful in that by God's love we are truly set free from the many difficulties that bind us while here on earth. And when we experience freedom in the Lord... how sweet it is!

The gift of freedom is worthy of a true celebration... one that will last forever. That feeling is what inspired me to write an upbeat song with a ska rhythm. The verses reflect a minor tonality which represent the chains in our lives. "I'm breakin' off these rusty chains, I want to see the blue sky again, no longer want to toil for what the world provides."

My intention was that the refrain express a feeling of great joy and celebration as the tonality turns to the relative major key anchored to the rock solid I-IV-V chord progression. I had the wonderful grace of working with an incredible group of musicians, in particular the horn section that is featured in this song.

During the bridge the awesome, Tito Carrillo, lays down a moody Miles Davis-like sound with his Harmon muted trumpet. The outro is an extended refrain with the singers repeating "Free, set free, how good it is to be freed by you, my Lord" while saxophonist Stephen Eisen goes to town with a jaw-dropping one take solo.

My goal for this song was to try to capture even the slightest bit of the incredible joy that we feel when we are loved and cared for and that everything is going to be great. After all we are not only offered life, but life to the full! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I am so thankful to have received the gift of faith in Him. And the truth has set us free!

- Angus McDonell