Written 1998 in Kreuzlingen. First it just consisted of a blues idea along the expression "You gotta go your own way". Then I found that a Russian polka sound would match it well after the first two verses. And finally, after playing for a while, I nearly naturally dove into the chorus that brings the whole song on a higher level.

You gotta go your own way if you wanna get along
You gotta go your own way from the mouth to the fount
You gotta go your own way, this itself is a goal
You gotta walk the whole way back home

You gotta go your own way not to play any role
You gotta go your own way if you wanna be your own
You gotta go your own way, you gotta walk it alone
You gotta walk your own way back home

You gotta go your own way
It can’t be so wrong
You’d better clear up your mind
Nothing’s carved in stone
You gotta go your own way
You decide what you want
You gotta walk the whole way back home

You gotta walk your own way
and when you fall down you stand up
You’ll see that things are even better
and brighter than you ever thought
You’ve got to walk your own way
Your inner compass is the building block
You’d better start now, no more reasons to delay
walking your own way

You gotta go your own way if you wanna find luck
You gotta go your own way to get out of the muck
You gotta go your own way, breathe into your heart
You gotta walk the whole way out of the dark

You gotta go your own way
If you wanna feel good
Deciding what is right
may mean to be rude
You gotta go your own way
Maybe it makes you unkind
You gotta walk your own way even blind

You gotta walk your own way
You’ve got everything, there’s nothing to borrow
If you wanna find your little
peace of soul, take control
You gotta walk your own way
Care for today and you care for tomorrow
You better start now, no more reasons left to wait
with walking your own way

You gotta go your own way if you don’t wanna bow
You gotta go your own way if you’re sick of the show
You gotta go your own way, it may cause you throes
You gotta go your own way and that’s the way it goes

You gotta walk your own way
You’ve got everything, there’s nothing to borrow
If you wanna find your little 
peace of soul, take control
You gotta walk your own way
Care for today and you care for tomorrow
You better start now, no more reasons left to wait 
with walking your own way