Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Being Free
How it Feels to be Free
I wish I knew how
It would feel to be free
I wish I could break
All the chains holding me
I wish I could say
All the things that I should say
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole wide world to hear
I wish I could share
All the love that's in my heart
Remove all the bars
That keep us apart
I wish you could know
What it means to be me
Then you'd see and agree
That every man should be free
I wish I could give
All I'm longin' to give
I wish I could live
Like I'm longin' to live
I wish I could do
All the things that I can do
And though I'm’m way over due
I'd’d be starting a new
Well I wish I could be
Like a bird in the sky
How sweet it would be
If I found I could fly
Oh I'd soar to the sun
And look down at the sea
Than I'd sing cos I know - yeah
Then I'd sing cos I know - yeah
Then I'd sing cos I know
I'd’d know how it feels
Oh I’d know how it feels to be free
Yeah Yeah! Oh, I’d know how it feels
Yes I’d know
Oh, I’d know
How it feels
How it feels
To be free
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Okay, now I'm really hooked, Judith! I loved the interview (and the amazing song) and what she said about fear. I grew up with fear like a living, breathing person who invaded my childhood from age 6 when my father died. Suddenly I was afraid that my mother would die and I woke up for many years nightly to check her to see if she was breathing. I'd lay my hand on her chest and feel her heart beating, then do back to bed, relieved. I didn't know then that this fear would burrow down into my soul and affect me most of my life. (Mama's still going strong at 80 as I've said before, so what a waste of worry!) LOL! But it's true, to be free we must conquer fear most of all. Had I been less fearful I think I would have been a different person, taken more risks and had more confidence.
This Bible verse helps me still and I quote it to myself often. The Word is powerful and healing!
2 Timothy 1:7 (King James Version)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Blessings & Love, Judith!
Marion, my dear sister, my friend - Thank you so very much for sharing your story here. It touched my heart immensely. You are beautiful and you are exactly where you should be. Bloom right where you are.
Thank you for the scripture reminder. I so embrace it and love your words concerning it. Surrounding blessings and love to you.
Nina Simone exudes confidence, eh?
Powerful story. I've been blessed--fear was only an occasional visitor to me. Once gone it was gone.
The interview gave me a glimpse of what I missed and how fortunate I've been--and some empathy for those who have her experience.
Bob - I think we all deal with fear on many different levels and respond diversely on different occassions. Not to have fear is not to be human. Being fearless for me is not the absence of fear, but moving forward in spite of it. While Nina Simone personalizes much of her own emotions in her songs, they are no less significant than our very own that we experience in our very own way at different stages of our development at work or at home. Simone's music resonates for all people for this very powerful human understanding of communal emotions. Her music is visceral and her confidence awe-inspiring. She is fearless, even though she expresses fear. This is clear in all of her music and interviews. Those who knew her confirm this. Thanks for your words, Bob. As always, it's good to have you here.
Hi Judith - I loved it when Nina said, "If I could just be that way half the time." It's so clear that she understands at a deep level that fear is complicated, a part of us, something not to release but rather to understand. And her performance - mesmerizing. I'm such a fan; I came to her later in my life and it's just a joy to listen to her. Thanks!
p.s. this also reminded me of one my favorite quotes (from Nietzsche): "Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves."
I agree, Patty. Fear can be quite complicated, evasive yet very present. Nietzche knew quite a lot about complications. He is among my most respected thinkers. His thoughts go way beyond the apparent. Many people are offended by his words on religion, ethnicity, women and many other topics; I tend to understand and love the honest grapple with real issues. I also think that he uses irony cleverly. I often laugh when reading Nietsche and any time he is mentioned, I smile. Thanks for that. Love that you appreciate Nina Simone. It feels like I have known her my entire life. Welcome. Do pass through again.
Post a Comment