Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing

Subject: freedom doesn't come like a bird on the
From:
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 10:15 PM

Hi, I hope you can help me find more lyrics to a song " Freedom doesn't come like a bird on the wing. Freedom doesn't come like and early spring. Freedom, freedom is a hard won thing , You have to work for it, fight for it, live and die for it , and every generation has to win it again....... I remember it from an old union movie called "The Inheritance"

Subject: RE: freedom doesn't come like a bird on the
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 11:34 PM

You're right on the movie as I ran across a refersnce to it in searching some info from a previous thread on the song. I searched also what I could find on the net and at Judy Collins sites as Sandy remembered that she may have done it on a "Songs Of Freedom" type of Album......No luck on that either.

Click Here for the previous thread. I'll keep looking.

Spaw

Subject: RE: freedom doesn't come like a bird on the
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 09:18 PM

sending e-mail

Subject: RE: freedom doesn't come like a bird on the
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 09:22 PM

I gave the requestor the URL to the original thread linked above; so if you want to post any more information it might make more sense to add it there.

~S~

Subject: Lyr Add: PASS IT ON (Lampell/Kleinsinger)
From: GUEST,Mark Lause
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 04:11 PM

Hi. I've been looking for a recording of this, too, so please keep me posted. The lyrics are:

Freedom doesn't come like a bird on the wing
It doesn't come down like the summer rain
Freedom, freedom is a hard-won thing
You've got to work for it, fight for it
Day and night for it
And every generation got to win it again
Pass it on to your children, mother
Pass it on to you children, brother
You've got to work for it, fight for it, day and night for it
Pass it on to your children
Pass it on.

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: Suffet
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 05:33 PM

Greetings:

It was the theme song of a documentary movie about some labor union -- possibly the Amalgamated Clothing Workers -- that was made in the late 1960s or early 1970s. I believe Judy Collins sang it.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 01:01 AM

From Jarlett, Franklin. Robert Ryan: A Biography and Critical Filmography. McFarland classics, 10. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1997, page 269:

The Inheritance (not rated) (1964) 58 min. Producer/Director Harold Mayer. Associate Producer Lynne Rhodes Mayer. Writer Millard Lampell.... Music Composer and Conductor George Kleinsinger. Song Pass It On by George Kleinsinger, Millard Lampell. Songs performed by Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, Page Gaynes, Barry Kornfeld, Carla Rutolo, John R. Winn, Millard Lampell.... Narrator Robert Ryan. In cooperation with Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, AFL-CIO, CLC.

"Freedom doesn't come like a bird on the wing,
Doesn't come down like the summer rain
Freedom, Freedom is a hard won thing,
And every generation has to win it again."

This is the theme song and the theme of Harold Mayer's documentary....

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: Suffet
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 08:30 AM

Thanks for the information. I believe that name is George Kleinsinger.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST,Leslie ( I know last line)
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 08:20 PM

loved this song - saw the movie in 8th grade Social Studies and NEVER FORGOT IT - final line is
"AND EVERY GENERATION's GOT TO WIN IT AGAIN -
then the pass it on refrain is fine -
but final line re new generation having to fight is necessary for the meaning. I still sing it and this is 40 years after 8th grade
- can't find the movie -
I sung it on Sept 11th when the towers fell -
If anyone knows where I can get this movie on DVD
(or even VHS) I would appreciate it.

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Aug 11 - 08:34 PM

You can buy it on the below site. Get to it with Google. The cost for the DVD is $36. I expect S and H is extra.

The Inheritance - National Center for Jewish Film

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST,zapsmom
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 04:09 PM

Anyone know if it's on youtube?

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 04 Jul 12 - 02:26 PM

I remember when Janis Joplin sang "Me and Bobby McGee"...a line, 'Freedom's just another word, for nothing left to lose..."..and how popular the song was....but, a friend of mine went ballistic, back then, and said that the song was 'a crock of shit, and subverting young people's minds, because freedom isn't what you have left, when everything's gone, but something of a substance, that has to be maintained, and fought for if necessary'...and a lot of people thought he was nuts!.........til' now!!

..but I guess I hung out with a 'different' crowd....

GfS

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 13 - 06:58 PM

The Inheritance was released in two versions, one without the "nuclear" theme at the end.The second version, I have both, had that scene. I suspect this was orchestrated by the Facist elements of the Labor movement, deeply tied to the CIA and Hoover.

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Sep 13 - 12:37 PM

Just in case it isn't already clear enough, the correct title of the song we've been discussing here is PASS IT ON. However, I think the title of this thread should remain as it is, for the benefit of people who might search for "Freedom doesn't come..." etc.

There's another thread called Lyr Req: Pass It On (Millard Lampell).

"The Inheritance" can be seen on YouTube in 4 parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

The song PASS IT ON begins at 1:52 in Part 1. Click to go directly to it.

There may be some other interesting songs and recitations in there.

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST,Pete seeger
Date: 11 Nov 16 - 03:30 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Apr 17 - 10:59 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbLa9SftNto

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST,Craig
Date: 01 Jan 20 - 04:44 PM

I know all about this song. It comes from the movie "The Inheritance". My father became a Vice President of the Union when it was merged with the Textile Workers and became the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union or ACTWU.   The film was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the labor union and it is well worth the view. The best source of information regarding this unions and others is at the Cornell University Library in Ithaca NY.

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jul 20 - 05:33 PM

I had heard this song when I was a kid on a record called Songs for Social Justice. Found something here. https://www.discogs.com/Various-This-Land-Is-Your-Land-Songs-Of-Social-Justice/release/7925877

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jul 20 - 05:42 PM

Okay, well... I think it has taken us closer if not given us an actual recording. The singer was Ronnie Gilbert and the title, Oh, Freedom. I have found it listed for listening.
Take us back to Amazon, though.
However, you could choose the listen for free option.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/this-land-is-your-land-songs-of-social-justice-uaw-mw0000997095

Subject: Add: FREEDOM DOESN'T COME LIKE A BIRD ON THE WING
From: GUEST,Sherry
Date: 02 Aug 20 - 08:37 PM

here are the lyrics I remember when I learned "Freedom Doesn't Come on the Edge of a Wing" at age 12, back in 1968: (since it's a folk song, there may be many similar versions; I have been unable to identify the author)

(I sang it onto YouTube so yu can hear the tune:
https://youtu.be/wPVFWJuZqvY)

"CHORUS: Freedom doesn't come on the edge of a wing,
Freedom doesn't come like a new-born thing,
You gotta fight for it, write for it, day and night for it, and each generation's gotta pass it on.

1. An old wandering man sat by the roadside,
His face not concealing his feelings inside,
'Come listen,' he shouted 'to what I've to say:
If you don't fight for freedom, you'll loosest some day...' (Chorus)

2. The old wanderer rested before telling more
Of the screaming and scheming old residents wore,
Where bewildered. your men, to defend freedom's name,
As unwittingly tools in an older mans' game. (Chorus)

3. 'Tell us, old man just where you have been,
All the rages and ages and what you have seen'
'I've seen a man beaten an robbed of his pride,
And a part of my soul was lost when he died...' (Chorus) "

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST,Markko
Date: 26 Sep 20 - 10:31 AM

Hi Sherry- that’s beautiful. I also learned this in summer camp in 1965. Can you also post the chords?
Thanks!11

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST,hink
Date: 05 Jan 21 - 05:28 PM

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk039gIqKYcp2rdCeBlJtqVglmx8dUA:1609885394986&q=the+inheritance+(1964)&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjT8uK46oXuAhXoGFkFHSCzBsAQ1QIoAXoECAEQAg&biw=1422&bih=730

http://bit.ly/3hLTieD

---

Hot link added by mudelf

Subject: RE: Lyr: Freedom Doesn't Come Like a Bird on the Wing
From: GUEST,Adero
Date: 13 Jan 21 - 10:07 AM

This is how I remember the chorus. I never knew the verses. I sing this chorus a lot every year especially during Black History month celebrations.

Freedom doesn’t come like a bird on the wing
Doesn’t come down like the summer rain
Freedom, Freedom is a hard won thing
You have to work for it, fight for it, day and night for it
And every generation has to win it again.
...
Pass it on to your children Mother
Pass it on to your children Brother
You have to work for it, fight for it, day and night for it
Pass it on to you children, Pass it on.