A fortnight ago Time presented its 2011 person of the year: it was “the protester”. This came as a surprise to many, given that the magazine is not exactly the most alternative source of information on the planet; its choice, however, may also be seen as an indication of the fact that it is not possible to overlook the on-going global movements of dissent. And from a cultural point of view, I cannot think of a better song to welcome 2012 than the following classic by the incredible Patti Smith:
I was dreaming in my dreaming
Of an aspect bright and fair
And my sleeping it was broken
But my dream it lingered near
In the form of shining valleys
Where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
That the people have the power
To redeem the work of fools
Upon the meek the graces shower
It’s decreed the people rule
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
Vengeful aspects became suspect
And bending low as if to hear
And the armies ceased advancing
Because the people had their ear
And the shepherds and the soldiers
Lay beneath the stars
Exchanging visions
And laying arms
To waste in the dust
In the form of shining valleys
Where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
Where there were deserts
I saw fountains
Like cream the waters rise
And we strolled there together
With none to laugh or criticize
And the leopard
And the lamb
Lay together truly bound
I was hoping in my hoping
To recall what I had found
I was dreaming in my dreaming
God knows a purer view
As I lay down into my sleeping
I commit my dream to you
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
The power to dream, to rule
To wrestle the earth from fools
It’s decreed the people rule
It’s decreed the people rule
Listen, I believe everything we dream
Can come to pass through our union
We can turn the world around
We can turn the earth’s revolution
We have the power
People have the power
Of an aspect bright and fair
And my sleeping it was broken
But my dream it lingered near
In the form of shining valleys
Where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
That the people have the power
To redeem the work of fools
Upon the meek the graces shower
It’s decreed the people rule
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
Vengeful aspects became suspect
And bending low as if to hear
And the armies ceased advancing
Because the people had their ear
And the shepherds and the soldiers
Lay beneath the stars
Exchanging visions
And laying arms
To waste in the dust
In the form of shining valleys
Where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
Where there were deserts
I saw fountains
Like cream the waters rise
And we strolled there together
With none to laugh or criticize
And the leopard
And the lamb
Lay together truly bound
I was hoping in my hoping
To recall what I had found
I was dreaming in my dreaming
God knows a purer view
As I lay down into my sleeping
I commit my dream to you
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
The power to dream, to rule
To wrestle the earth from fools
It’s decreed the people rule
It’s decreed the people rule
Listen, I believe everything we dream
Can come to pass through our union
We can turn the world around
We can turn the earth’s revolution
We have the power
People have the power
2 comments:
What a song!In fact so much more than a song.
After this no other words about revolution and
liberation are needed.Reading the lyrics I noti-
ced for the first time that they contain no rage or hate and authority is mentioned simply as
"fools", having no real power.The song is so full
of enthusiasm,so motivating and powerful,yet
there is a calmness in its heart,which I find
very appealing.
Thanks for sharing
elastigirl
elastigirl
I completely agree with elastigirl!!!Besides, Patti Smith is a very special singer who provokes strong emotions. In other words, she rocks!!!
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