Freedom - Let It Fill the Air

As important the word is to America’s heritage, ‘freedom’ appears not once in The Declaration of Independence. Nor does the word appear in The Constitution of the United States.

The Declaration of Independence was delivered on July 4, 1776. The Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1787. It wasn’t until the Bill of Rights was amended to the Constitution on December 15, 1791, that the word appeared in Article III, stating ‘Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press’.

The fortitude with which the Founding Fathers proclaimed and fought was for the very freedoms we cherish, however forsaken they seem to many Americans. Today, our affirmation of freedom is taken for granted. It wasn’t so for the Men of Liberty and other Patriots of the American Revolution.

Many of the Founding Fathers were left indigent as their homes and properties were ransacked and burned. Some were tortured and killed as they were captured by British soldiers and Loyalists to King George III of England. And yet, with lost fortunes and lives, with shattered hearts and broken will, they stood by the closing words of the Declaration: “And for the support of this declaration, with the firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

A song that honors the principles of the Declaration of Independence was written by Kris Kristofferson and affectively delivered by Janis Joplin in 1971 with the prolific phrase from ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ – “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose…”

The lyrics should give us pause to consider that which we have today and for what were true actions of desperation that forged brave men to claim what no other peoples in the known history of mankind had fought with shear determination and fierce resolve: the freedom of a new nation.

Don’t think for a moment there weren’t contentious debates among the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Think of it as the first legislative compromise in the history of the United States, a truly bipartisan effort of Congress. It was a give-and-take of politics without the dishonorable blight of lobbyists and self-interest groups.

An important omission in the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was a passage that contained 168 words which, if they hadn’t been deleted, would have alienated delegates representing plantation owners in southern states to the extent that they would have sided with the Loyalists and effectively doomed the efforts of the Patriots.

Specifically, the omitted text assailed King George III for waging “cruel War against human Nature itself, violating its most sacred Rights of Life and Liberty of a distant People who never offended him” and “…for Suppressing every legislative Attempt to prohibit or to restrain an execrable Commerce, determined to keep open a Market where Men should be bought and sold…”

It wasn’t until 89 years later that the equality of men of all colors was declared in the then-current 36 United States. The 13th Amendment, ratified on December 6, 1865, which abolished slavery, has no mention of ‘freedom’.

I suppose each of us could name a song or two that we feel justly represents the feel of freedom. A song written by crooner-turned-folk singer, Bobby Darin that still makes my heart yearn for peace, love and understanding among all men is “Simple Song of Freedom”. Originally released in 1969 by Tim Hardin, it still evokes in me a sense of faith and hope for man. It attempts to put to rest the politics of government, racism, religion and the misgivings of war.

As the music and lyrics flow, the feeling of want and desire grow. Goose bumps well for camaraderie among all peoples. I tend to put the song on repeat as if such action might bring the notion to fruition.

The song strongly suggests freedom might be an attainable goal, if only those who keep us from achieving the compassion and harmony of human consciousness had no claim to dampen and control the will of the people.

Space doesn’t allow the printing of the entire lyrics, but a few lines express the want of freedom:

No doubt some folks enjoy doin' battle
Like presidents and ministers and kings
But let us build them shelves where they can fight among themselves
and leave the people be who like to sing

Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the airTell the people everywhere
That we the people here, don't want a war

Please, check out these links for each of Bobby’s and Tim’s versions of ‘Simple Song of Freedom’ and join in what should be a Global Anthem. And let it fill the air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvY99BJzN-M [Bobby]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uVcr7LIusc [Tim]



*You may also check out my Parcel Post 07 blog for a tribute to Bobby Darin for his contributions to music, social awareness and his song of freedom.
http://parcel-post.blogspot.com/search?q=global+anthem+