I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free was written by Billy Taylor with lyrics from Richard Dallas was shot to fame by Nina Simone in 1967. It became an instant overnight global hit performing well in many of the international pop charts. Many will remember the it being the theme tune to the Barry Norman Film Review series but as an instrumental version only. The lyrics tell of the struggle of black slaves in America which is why it was such a pertinent song for the time and for Nina.

Lyrics
I wish I knew how
It would feel to be free
I wish I could break
All the chains holdin' 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 longing to live

I wish I could do
All the things that I can do
And though I'm way overdue
I'd be startin' anew

Well, I wish I could be
Like a bird in the sky
How sweet it would be
If I found I could fly

Oh, I'd soar to the sun
And look down at the sea
Then I'd sing 'cause I'd know, yeah
And I'd sing 'cause I'd know, yeah

And I'd sing 'cause I'd know
I'd know how it feels
I'd know how it feels to be free, yeah, yeah
I'd know how it feels

Yes, I'd know
I'd know how it feels, how it feels
To be free, no, no, no

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