[Verse 1]
I came out the swamp mud leanin’
Cottonmouth grin, eyes stayed meanin’
Mama said, “Boy, you best move quick”
So I learned that life don’t wait for a lick
Tin-roof house and a prayer at dawn
Bare feet tough when the night dragged on
First bad taste was a burnin’ glass
Made a young soul grow up fast
[Pre-Chorus]
Bonfire glow on the pinewood edge
Heart too wild to stay on the ledge
Then you came through with that Carolina smile
Made a hard boy soften for a while
[Chorus]
Wild and free, wild and free
Carolina girl got a hold on me
Wild and free, wild and free
We ran that fire till the dark said please
(Here with me)
Wild and free, wild and free
Carolina girl, you the one for me
[Verse 2]
We laughed till the frogs quit singin’
Moon got high and the steel cars ringin’
Cup got warm and the woods got loud
We danced like we never learned how
You had that sway like a river bend
Could pull a whole wild world right in
I was rough, but you saw my name
Said “stay close, boy, I like that flame”
[Pre-Chorus]
Bonfire glow on the pinewood edge
Your hands found mine on the broken fence
Then you looked at me, said, “Don’t look down”
We were born to tear this town around
[Chorus]
Wild and free, wild and free
Carolina girl got a hold on me
Wild and free, wild and free
We ran that fire till the dark said please
(Here with me)
Wild and free, wild and free
Carolina girl, you the one for me
[Bridge]
I been through the mud, through the rain, through the pain
Still got your name in the back of my brain
If the road gets long and the nights get cold
I’m that swamp boy, but I ain’t alone
[Final Chorus]
Wild and free, wild and free
Carolina girl got a hold on me
Wild and free, wild and free
We ran that fire till the dark said please
(Won’t you stay)
Wild and free, wild and free
Carolina girl, you the one for me