Neog, Prabhakar Sarma.
My Freedom, Your Freedom. Print.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-freedom-your-freedom/
Root, George F.. The
Battle Cry of Freedom. Boston: Sold at wholesale by Horace Partridge, 27
Hanover St. Boston., 1862. Print.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-battle-cry-of-freedom-union/
pg.10 Epilogue
The poems in this anthology are selected and arranged
so as to demonstrate to the reader the various natures of freedom as
interpreted by a number of different poets and songwriters. Some of these
poems, like “India’s Freedom After Freedom” by Dr. John Celes is a very literal
list of demands for the new government of India, while “Freedom” by Jimi
Hendrix is about Hendrix’s personal struggle with drug addiction and the
freedom he wishes he had. These poems both represent a desire for freedom from
some kind of oppressor or oppressive factor, while “Freedom” by Paul McCartney
represents the idea that an individual must have freedom in general, with no
specific oppressor listed. Each poem has different subject matter; while some
are similar a number of them are very different. In “The Battle Cry of Freedom”
the poem talks about Civil War soldiers who are off to fight a very literal
battle for freedom; this is very different from Jimi Hendrix’s discussion about
drug addiction. The poems are arranged in such a way as to guide the reader
from type of freedom to type of freedom. This means that the reader will read
about a more literal type of freedom and then be guided on to a more figurative
style up until they reach the most abstract and obscure type of freedom in the
collection. This will also help the reader to see that although the time period
in which the poems were written may be different, and the subject matter itself
may be different, the theme of the poems and the type of freedom written about
in the poem can still be the same. This reflects the fact that freedom is a
universal concept, understood and felt by everyone across the world, throughout
history and regardless of race or country of origin. Hopefully the arrangement
of these poems will reflect this intention and successfully guide the reader
through this arrangement of poems in a way that will allow the theme of these
poems and the theme of this anthology to be easily understood and interpreted.
pg.1 Preface
This compilation of poems and songs shares one
common theme, freedom. While freedom is the theme of each of these poems the
kind of freedom each individual is writing or singing about varies in a number
of different ways. Some of these pieces, like “The Battle Cry of Freedom” by
George F. Root speak very literally about freedom from a physical oppressor,
while others long for a more abstract and theoretical freedom. These more
abstract poems allow the reader to put themselves in the poem and imagine it as
it may apply to their own life situation. The poems in this anthology are
arranged in an order designed to guide the reader through them starting with
the most literal sense of freedom to the more abstract and undefined. The poems
also come from very different time periods and places, although this
contributes less to the order that they have been arranged in.
pg. 9 My Freedom, Your Freedom by Prabhakar Sarma
Neog
Freedom is my haritage Gift of encestors my land my existence My legecy.
Freedom is my mind, color of the sky Protector of ambitions of my brotherhood A call to soar like a bird An open stage for all.
Freedom is a promise I gift you The pleasure in sharing, My freedom, your freedom, our freedom Our oath, drive and destiny. Source: Poemhunter.com
Analysis
In “My Freedom, Your
Freedom” Neog uses illustration throughout each stanza to generate the idea
that freedom is embedded within him and he plans to share that with all and
leave that as his legacy. In the first stanza he compares freedom to a gift,
something he has received from his ancestors that he cherishes and must hold
onto. Neog then proceeds to describe freedom with a more vivid description and
use of imagery, “Freedom is my mind, color of the sky/ Protector of ambitions
of my brotherhood/ A call to soar like a bird/ An open stage for all”. As he
progresses to the third stanza, he expresses his need to share the freedom that
he has obtained and strive with others by sharing freedom throughout the
people. He not only illustrates his need to share that freedom but he includes
the pleasure and fulfillment he gains from doing so, “The pleasure in sharing,
/My freedom, your freedom, our freedom”. He uses simile and metaphor to
exemplify what freedom truly means to him and the many opportunities freedom
grants people, “A call to soar like a bird/An open stage for all”. The tone of
the poem is generated by the ambitious and hopeful words of the author leading
the reader to feel optimistic about freedom and its effect on people. This
powerful message hits the readers because of the strength and power of the
writing. It shines through in different ways, from the vivid imagery, to the
clearly established tone.
pg. 8 A Sad State of Freedom by Nazim Hikmet
You waste the attention of your eyes, the glittering labour of your hands, and knead the dough enough for dozens of loaves of which you'll taste not a morsel; you are free to slave for others-- you are free to make the rich richer.
The moment you're born they plant around you mills that grind lies lies to last you a lifetime. You keep thinking in your great freedom a finger on your temple free to have a free conscience.
Your head bent as if half-cut from the nape, your arms long, hanging, your saunter about in your great freedom: you're free with the freedom of being unemployed.
You love your country as the nearest, most precious thing to you. But one day, for example, they may endorse it over to America, and you, too, with your great freedom-- you have the freedom to become an air-base.
You may proclaim that one must live not as a tool, a number or a link but as a human being-- then at once they handcuff your wrists. You are free to be arrested, imprisoned and even hanged.
There's neither an iron, wooden nor a tulle curtain in your life; there's no need to choose freedom: you are free. But this kind of freedom is a sad affair under the stars. Source: Poemhunter.com
Analysis
“A Sad State of
Freedom” by Nazim Hikmet creates the idea that there is a backside to freedom,
a down fall. That freedom can also lead to negative things and that granting
too much freedom to one person or place may give them the right to abuse the
power and freedom that they are granted. It also demonstrates the inequality
that can come with a free society, “you are free to slave for others--/you are
free to make the rich richer.” Hikmet uses the repetition of the words “you”
and “your” to speak directly to the reader and help create an image within the
mind of the reader. This is done by putting the reader into the poem, and
making it easy for the reader to imagine themselves within the poem, thus
making the poem apply to their lives, “Your head bent as if half—cut from the
nape,/ your arms long, hanging,/your saunter about in your great freedom/ a
finger on your temple/ free to have a free conscience.” This repetition of the
word “you” allows the reader to put themselves in the situation described in
the poem and feel the oppressive freedom, creating a powerful and meaningful
image inside the reader’s head. Hikmet closes with the shortest stanza in the
poem, helping bring the reader across the finish line. The shortness of the
final stanza also creates a sense of finality to the subject, which symbolizes
the finality and inevitability of oppression within freedom, “There’s neither
an iron, wooden/ nor a tulle curtain/ in your life;/there’s no need to choose
freedom:/you are free./But this kind of freedom/is a sad affair under the
stars.” This leaves the reader with the feeling that freedom is not all that
special, and ends the poem on an appropriate note.
pg. 7 India’s Freedom After Freedom by Dr. John Celes
The people’s struggle against corruption The non-violent war against corruption The revolution making all money, white The struggle by the people, for the people The new awakening of a modern India.
The giant step to cleanse mal-functioning systems The call to make India truly progressive The need to make workable laws The need to make India self-sustaining The bid to free India ofF its intriguing problems
Let money not be thine master Let things become more transparent Let lucre not allure the citizens Let sense of decorum and duty prevail Let patriotism fill all Indian hearts.
Let discrimination of all sorts vanish Let injustice and inequality be removed Let taxes be levied in feasible manner Let persons be accountable, responsible Let black-money and money-laundering be wiped out.
Let price-rise be controlled firmly Let tax-money fully benefit the country-men Let harmony and brotherhood prevail Let sanctity of life become universal Let atrocities of all sorts be abolished.
Let inhumane practices be prohibited Let common man not suffer humiliation Let authorities not misuse power Let basic amenities be provided to all Let clout and recommendation disappear
Let labour be decently remunerated Let citizens reap the fruits of their toil Let all Indians breathe the air of freedom Let love and oneness prevail amongst Indians Let Indians live with honour and happiness.
Let all Indian states be truly integrated Let divisive forces be stifled by solidarity Let all Indians live in unity and security Let India prosper in all ways, always Let a good democracy rule India here-after.
Source: Poemhunter.com
Analysis
“India’s Freedom After
Freedom” by Dr. John Celes is a poem of demands for the new government of India
about how the country must be run now that they have finally gained their
freedom. Dr. Celes wants desperately for India to establish itself responsibly
so that the country may last and thrive after a long struggle with various
outside entities for the country’s freedom. The most obvious literary element
used in the poem is the repetition of the first word of each line. Only two
words are used throughout the entire poem to start lines, the word “the” and
the word “let”. The repetition of these two words reflects a clear and concise
theme to the entire poem, which is a demand that the government of India
relinquish a long list of rights to the people, and conduct its business in a
responsible and mutually beneficial manner. The repetition of the word “the” is
used to list many actions that have been taken or events that are or should
occur, “The people’s struggle against corruption/The non-violent war against
corruption/The revolution making all money, white/The struggle by the people,
for the people/The new awakening of a modern India.” This listing is two
stanzas long and leads into the “let” stanzas, “Let money not be thine
master/Let things become more transparent/Let lucre not allure the citizens/Let
sense of decorum and duty prevail/Let patriotism fill all Indian hearts.” The
repetition is not unlike that which was used in the American Declaration of
Independence, as it serves to list demands, goals, accomplishments, and other
things related to Indian independence.
pg. 6 The Battle Cry of Freedom by George F. Root
Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, We'll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom, We will rally from the hillside, We'll gather from the plain, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.
The Union forever, Hurrah! boys, hurrah! Down with the traitors, Up with the stars; While we rally round the flag, boys, Rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.
We are springing to the call Of our brothers gone before, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom; And we'll fill our vacant ranks with A million free men more, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.
We will welcome to our numbers The loyal, true and brave, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom; And although they may be poor, Not a man shall be a slave, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.
So we're springing to the call From the East and from the West, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom; And we'll hurl the rebel crew From the land that we love best, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.
Source: Poemhunter.com
Analysis
The “Battle Cry of Freedom” is a Civil War poem
written by George Frederick Root. The poem which was often sung/recited by
Union troops going into battle expresses the belief that the cause they are
fighting for is just and right, and that they must “Rally once again/Shouting
the battle cry of Freedom.” Root uses imagery, repetition, and symbolism to
make this poem speak to the reader and deliver a powerful message. Throughout
the poem the need to “rally round the flag” is expressed, with the flag
representing the just fight for freedom. This repetition of an important symbol
of freedom throughout the poem is important because it constantly reminds the
reader of the cause, and of the natural and inalienable rights the country was
founded on. The words “we” and “rally” are often repeated throughout the poem,
making the reader feel as if he or she is a part of the cause and must rally
alongside the troops going off to war. Because of this repetition and other
descriptive phrases like “We will rally from the hillside, We’ll gather from
the plain, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom” it is easy for the reader to
picture boys and men running to the flag so that they can go defend this right
of “freedom”. This poem packs an extra emotional punch because of the eagerness
of the troops to defend the right of freedom of strangers in towns and cities
far away from their own. The reader is able to picture the men marching off to
war, who are prepared to die for a cause (freedom) that they believe so
strongly in. These devices make it easy for the reader to read and appreciate
the poem, as Americans and as humans in general.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
pg. 5 Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John
I used to be a rolling stone
You know if the cause was right
I'd leave to find the answer on the road
I used to be a heart beating for someone
But the times have changed
The less I say the more my work gets done
`Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom
From the day that I was born I've waved the flag
Philadelphia freedom took me knee-high to a man
Yeah gave me peace of mind my daddy never had
Oh Philadelphia freedom shine on me, I love you
Shine a light through the eyes of the ones left behind
Shine a light shine a light
Shine a light won't you shine a light
Philadelphia freedom I love you, yes I do
If you choose to you can live your life alone
Some people choose the city
Some others choose the good old family home
I like living easy without family ties
Till the whippoorwill of freedom zapped me
Right between the eyes
Source: AZLyrics.com
Analysis
“Philadelphia
Freedom” by Elton John is a song filled with emotion and reverence about the
right of an individual to pursue happiness in whichever way they so choose.
This song is noted as having been very important to Elton John when he wrote
it, presumably because John has been one of the celebrity leaders of the LGBT
movement in America. Because of the emotion John wrote and performed the song
with, it is easy for the listener to feel the same emotion and power. John
accomplishes this by using a number of literary elements within the song,
including repetition, allusion, rhetorical devices, and powerful imagery. The
author repeats the phrase “Shine a light, shine a light/ Shine a light, won't
you shine a light? /Philadelphia Freedom, I love you, yes I do” using
Philadelphia as an allusion to freedom in general and uses the rhetorical
questions as a plead for freedom within the LGBT community all over. John
incorporates the imagery of a flag with the lines, “From the day that I was
born, I've waved the flag/ Philadelphia Freedom, took me knee-high to a
man/Yeah, gave me peace of mind, my daddy never had” which flag he is talking
about is left for the reader to decipher. The lines could be perceived as John
waving the flag of freedom for all people of all kinds or it could be
interpreted as John waving the flag for his belief in freedom of different
sexualities among all people. The author makes a strong emotional point of
wanting freedom throughout the LGBT community by alluding to Philadelphia and
its connection to freedom as a whole.
pg. 4 Freedom by Paul McCartney
This is my right
A right given by God
To live a free life
To live in freedom
Talkin' about freedom
I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
I will fight
For the right
To live in freedom
Anyone tries to take it away
They'll have to answer
'Cause this is my right
I'm talkin' about freedom
Talkin' 'bout freedom
I will fight
For the right
To live in freedom
I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
I will fight
For the right
To live in freedom
Everybody talkin' 'bout freedom
We're talkin' 'bout freedom
We will fight
For the right
To live in freedom
I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
Talkin' 'bout freedom
I will fight
For the right
To live in freedom
I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
We will fight
For the right
To live in freedom
Source: AZLyrics.com
Analysis
In Paul McCartney’s
“Freedom” he begins with a clear and concise stanza that generates his thoughts
on being free. He uses a religious reference, “A right given by God” to show
his clear cut belief that he was born with a divinely given right to freedom
and it should not be disturbed.McCartney exemplifies his belief that freedom is a birth right through
the repetition of the same words and stanzas six times. The song repeats the
same stanza six times in order to hammer home the message “Talkin' about
freedom/ I'm talkin' 'bout freedom/ I will fight/ For the right.” This is
significant because it echoes the core argument throughout the entire song,
only using a few stanzas that do not have this exact same wording. Beginning
with the second stanza, McCartney uses an AABBA pattern while rhyming words
“freedom” with “freedom” and “fight” with “right”. In addition to repetition
the author incorporates alliteration within each stanza using phrases like,
“freedom, fight, and free”. By choosing to use concise but powerful words like
“fight” he illustrates his seriousness about the subject. The utilization of
the literary devices repetition, alliteration, and patterns makes it clear to
the listener how strongly McCartney feels about his message about freedom. This
song by McCartney does not state or indicate any specific oppressive being that
he wishes to be from, simply a desire to be free entirely. This is interesting
in some respects because it is such a broad and sweeping desire to be free. It
is clearly of fundamental importance to McCartney and this resonates with the
reader.
pg. 3 To Whom it May Concern by Creed
Oh, I didn't mean to yell
But sometimes I get beside myself
And oh, I didn't mean to rush you
But time keeps pushing so much
Oh, time keeps pushing so much
Your eyes stare at me in the dark
And I hope those eyes
Don't steal my freedom
My freedom
Oh, If I didn't give it all When I stood you made me crawl
And oh, if you never heard the song Then I could still hide down behind the wall
Then I could still hide down behind the wall
Your eyes stare at me in the dark
And I hope those eyes
Don't steal my freedom
My freedom
And I hope those eyes
Don't steal my freedom
My freedom
Said eyes, those eyes
I said don't steal my freedom
Your eyes stare at me in the dark
And I hope those eyes
Don't steal my freedom
My freedom
Oh, my freedom
Your eyes stare at me in the dark
And I hope those eyes
Don't steal my freedom
My freedom
Oh, my freedom
Said eyes, those eyes
Said eyes, those eyes
I said don't steal my freedom
Source: AZLyrics.com
Analysis
“To Whom it May Concern” by Creed is a painful song,
and it does not present a clear cut intended audience. The song does however
seem to be about the constant pressure of fame and stardom, as one of the lines
seems to indicate “And oh, if you never heard the song/Then I could still hid
down behind the wall”. The author uses personification to give the human eye
the ability to take away his freedom, “And I hope those eyes/Don’t steal my
freedom”. That phrase is used numerous times throughout the song to illustrate
the fear he holds of the effects of his fame tearing apart his freedom and
self-assuredness. The dark tone of the song creates a gloomy and worrisome tone
for the listener which reflects on the author’s feelings. The use of repetition
of the word “freedom” is incorporated to generate how important freedom is to
the author and his fearfulness of one day losing it. The author also repeats a
number of lines twice, presumably for the purpose of emphasizing the importance
of what those lines say, “But time keeps pushing so much, oh, time keeps
pushing so much” is one of three instances where this occurs. The author also
speaks directly to the “eyes, those eyes” when he says “I said don’t steal my
freedom”. This line is also the final line, leaving the listener and the “eyes”
with one final request not to steal the author’s freedom. This is almost an
eerie ending to the song, but it is powerful and it leaves the listener with a painful
plea for freedom.
pg. 2 Freedom by Jimi Hendrix
You got my pride
hanging out of my bed
You're messin' around with my life
So I bought my ...
You even mess with my children
And you're screamin' at my wife, baby
Get off my back,
if you wanna get outta here alive
Freedom, give it to me
That's what I want now Freedom, that's what I need now
Freedom to live Freedom, so I can give
You got my heart
speak electric water
You got my soul
screamin' and howlin'
You know you hook my girlfriend
You know the drugstore man
But I don't need it now
I was trying to slap it out of her head
Freedom, so I can give
Freedom, yeah
Freedom, that's what I need
You don't have to say that you love
if you don't mean it
You'd better believe
If you need me
or you just wanna bleed me
you'd better stickin' your dagger in someone else
So I can leave
Set me free
(Yeah)
Right on, straight ahead
Stay up and straight ahead
Freedom
Source: AZLyrics.com
Analysis
“Freedom” by Jimi Hendrix is a powerful song in
which Hendrix repeatedly cries out for something or someone to give him his
freedom. As the song goes on it becomes clear that Hendrix is singing about
gaining freedom from his drug addiction, which notoriously led to his premature
death. Hendrix uses repetition of the word freedom to emphasize how strongly he
desires a drug free life. He also gives a form of personification to the drug
addiction when he seemingly talks to the addiction by saying “You got my
pride/hanging out of my bed/You’re messing around with my life.” The drug
addiction obviously does not physically possess anything, but it does create a
human like restraint on Hendrix’s life. Hendrix continues to speak to the
addiction throughout the song as he lists the things the addiction controls.
Because of this the word “you” is very important in the song. The word “you”
refers to the various drugs that control Hendrix’s life and oppress him in
various different ways. It is important to note however, that Hendrix does not
speak about wanting to fight his addiction. Throughout the song it is presented
as if the addiction has complete control over Hendrix, like a master would
control a slave, “If you need me/or you just wanna bleed me/you’d better stick
your dagger in someone else/so I can leave/ set me free.” This request for the
addiction to “set him free” indicates an obvious belief that the drug is in
complete control and that Hendrix is merely a servant of the addiction. Because
of all of this it is clear to me that Hendrix truly felt consumed by his
addiction and essentially defenseless against it.
