Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Beyoncé
Lead Vocals
Kendrick Lamar
Vocals
Arrow Benjamin
Background Vocals
BOOTS
Programming
Marcus Miller
Bass
Canei Finch
Piano
Myles William
Programming
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Kendrick Lamar
Songwriter
Arrow Benjamin
Songwriter
Jonny Coffer
Songwriter
Frank Tirado
Songwriter
Calvin Broadus
Songwriter
Alan Lomax
Songwriter
Craig Lawson
Songwriter
Corey Miller
Songwriter
Beyoncé Knowles
Songwriter
Carla Williams
Songwriter
John Lomax
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Beyoncé
Producer
Stuart White
Mixing Engineer
Jonny Coffer
Producer
Just Blaze
Producer
Ramon Rivas
Engineer
John Cranfield
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Arthur Chambazyan
Assistant Engineer
Dave Kutch
Mastering Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Tryna rain, tryna rain on the thunder
Tell the storm I'm new
I'ma walk, I'ma march on the regular
Painting white flags blue
Lord, forgive me, I've been running
Running blind in truth
I'ma rain, I'ma reign on this bitter love
Tell the sweet I'm new
[PreChorus]
I'm telling these tears, "Go and fall away, fall away," oh
May the last one burn into flames
[Chorus]
Freedom, freedom, I can't move
Freedom, cut me loose (Yeah)
Freedom, freedom, where are you?
'Cause I need freedom too
I break chains all by myself
Won't let my freedom rot in Hell, hey
I'ma keep running 'cause a winner don't quit on themselves
[Verse 2]
I'ma wade, I'ma wave through the waters
Tell the tide, "Don't move"
I'ma riot, I'ma riot through your borders
Call me bulletproof
Lord, forgive me, I've been running
Running blind in truth
I'ma wade, I'ma wave through your shallow love
Tell the deep I'm new
[PreChorus]
I'm telling these tears, "Go and fall away, fall away," oh
May the last one burn into flames
[Chorus]
Freedom, freedom, I can't move
Freedom, cut me loose, yeah
Freedom, freedom, where are you?
'Cause I need freedom too
I break chains all by myself
Won't let my freedom rot in Hell, hey
I'ma keep running 'cause a winner don't quit on themselves
[Verse 3]
Ten Hail Marys, I meditate for practice (One, two)
Channel 9 News tell me I'm moving backwards (A-cha-cha)
Eight blocks left, death is around the corner (Ah)
Seven misleading statements by my persona (Uh-woo)
Six headlights waving in my direction (Come on)
Five-O asking me what's in my possession, yeah
I keep running, jumping the aquaducts, fire hydrants and hazardous
Smoke alarms on the back of us
But Mama, don't cry for me, ride for me
Try for me, live for me, breathe for me, sing for me
Honestly guiding me, I can be more than I gotta be
Stole from me, lied to me, nation hypocrisy
Cold on me driving me wicked
My spirit inspire me like, yeah
Open correctional gates in higher desert (Yeah)
Open our mind as we cast away oppression (Yeah)
Open the streets and watch our beliefs
And when they carve my name inside the concrete, I pray it forever reads
[Chorus]
Freedom, freedom, I can't move
Freedom, cut me loose (Yeah)
Freedom, freedom, where are you?
'Cause I need freedom too
I break chains all by myself
Won't let my freedom rot in Hell, hey
I'ma keep running 'cause a winner don't quit on themselves
[Verse 4]
Huh! What you want from me? Is it truth you seek? Uh
Oh, Father, can you hear me?
Huh! What you want from me? Is it truth you seek? Uh
Oh, Father, can you hear me?
Hear me? Oh
Written by: Alan Lomax, Beyoncé, Carla Marie Williams, Dean McIntosh, Frank Tirado, John A. Lomax, Jonathan Coffer, Jonny Coffer, Kendrick Duckworth