985 – Nina Simone – I wish I knew how it would feel to be free (1967)

Escrita por Billy Taylor e Richard Carroll Lamb, foi gravada por Nina Simone e lançada em 1967, no disco Silk and Soul. Havia sido gravada inicialmente pelo próprio Billy Taylor em 12 de novembro de 1963 e lançada por ele no disco Right here, right now, em 1964.

Foi regravada por Solomon Burke, John Denver, Levon Helm, Tedeshi Trucks Band, entre outros artistas. É um dos hinos do movimento dos direitos civis nos Estados Unidos nos anos 60s.

A letra:

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
And 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
Oh I'd soar to the sun
And look down at the sea

Then I'd sing 'cause I know, yea
Then I'd sing 'cause I know, yea
Then I'd sing 'cause I know
I'd know how it feels
Oh I know how it feels to be free
Yea yea! Oh, I know how it feels

Yes I know, oh, I know
How it feels
How it feels
To be free, Lord, Lord, Lord

A versão de Nina Simone:

A versão de John Denver:

A versão de Levon Helm: