Freeborn Man
intermediate
Freeborn Man
The Grass app includes adjustable backing tracks with bass, guitar, and mandolin — a built-in chromatic tuner — a metronome with count-in — chord charts in any key — lyrics with chorus highlighting — demo videos — jam-along practice recordings — shareable setlists — and a finder for 700+ bluegrass jam circles near you. Free on iOS and Android.
Jam Along
Chord Chart
A
GG
GG
GG
GG
GG
GG
GG
GG
G7G7
G7G7
B
CC
CC
CC
CC
GG
GG
GG
GG
DD
DD
DD
DD
GG
GG
GG
GG
Chords used:
C
D
G
G7
Lyrics
Well, I was born in the Southland
Twenty-some odd years ago
I ran away for the first time
When I was four years old
I'm a free born man
My home is on my back
I know every inch of highway
And every foot of back road
Every mile of railroad track
I got a gal in Cincinnati
Got a woman in San Antone
I always loved the girl next door
But anyplace is home
I got me a worn-out guitar
I carry an old tote sack
I hocked it about two hundred times
But I always get it back
You may not like my appearance
May not like my song
May not tike the way I talk
But you like the way I'm goneDemo Videos
About This Song
Freeborn Man is a powerful folk-bluegrass anthem made famous by Tony Rice. Rice's version is particularly renowned for its stunning guitar work, featuring his impeccable flatpicking and sophisticated chord voicings that transformed the song into a showcase piece for bluegrass guitarists. His instrumental breaks and tasteful accompaniment have made this arrangement the definitive version that countless pickers still study and emulate today.