Lyrics of and My Thoughts on "Free Bird"
(comments in italics)

The song opens with a very beautiful piano arpeggio thanks to Billy Powell.  Next comes a sweet slide guitar solo that I believe is usually played by Gary Rossington.  Then, Ronnie comes in with the first verse:

If I leave here tomorrow,
would you still remember me?   How fitting for Ronnie.
Cuz I must be traveling on now,
there's too many places I've got to see.

Chorus:
And if I stayed here with you, girl,   Ronnie's sang many songs about leaving women behind.
Things just couldn't be the same.
Cuz I'm as free as a bird now, and this bird you cannot change.
And this bird you cannot change...
And this bird you cannot change...
And this bird you cannot change...

The slide guitar solo repeats, and in the live version Billy takes off with a stirring piano solo.  Then, the second verse:

Bye, bye, baby, it's been a sweet love, yeah, yeah.
But this feeling I can't change.
But please don't take it so badly,
Cuz the Lord knows I'm to blame.

Chorus

Lord help me, I can't change
Oh you won't fly free bird

The tempo increases dramatically, and all three guitars launch an amazing several-minute solo that is absolutely mesmerizing.