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Freedom to assemble – not to tremble
I remember studying America’s founding documents when I was in school way back in the twentieth century. And I remember something called the “Bill of Rights.” It must’ve been a big deal. Because teachers and politicians always talked about the freedoms it “gave” all Americans. And one of those was the freedom to assemble.
Something about people freely getting together…even if it was to “petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Yeah, America’s founding fathers wrote up something called a constitution. And they had some arguments about how much power it might give to the federal government. So, some of those guys opposed the constitution until others added that “Bill of Rights.” That’s apparently what they called the first several amendments to that constitution. And the opposing guys must’ve been OK with the “Bill of Rights” because it became a permanent part of the document.
I think the reason this all might have been the way it worked out is because they were so profound in their use of the American language. For example, here’s one of the first lines in those amendments…
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Hey, I told you it was high-brow.
Well, I’m told it was pretty great living in America while that “Bill of Rights” was in place. And I even have vague memories of it myself…being a boomer type dude. But now, even churches aren’t allowed to gather together and worship and sing without the fear of the pastor getting tossed into jail.
Oh well. Time marches on. And rules change. So, who am I to grumble and reminisce? And what good would it do? Yeah, I think I’ll just use one of my last ounces of freedom to assemble these words together and fade gently into that viral, dark night…
Freedom
I’m gunning for the gold medal”aiming for the sun dance.
Don’t wanna be a drifter all my life, I gotta take a new chance.
I’ve driven down the pipeline. I’ve seen so many street signs.
I’m headed back where I began to try to make it mine; all mine.
And if I’ve even learned one thing,
It’s that the music never stops.
And if you dream inside a bubble,
You’ll be surprised when the bubble pops.
Oh, when the bubble pops!
Freedom; don’t want to lose my freedom.
I want to make my choice; make my voice be heard.
Freedom; I’m glad I have my freedom.
If all the world could see,
It would have to be the word…Freedom!
I’m shooting for the north star.
And I’m tickling the silver strings.
I’m glad I have the chance to chase ideas
And turn them into real things.
I’ve been down lots of broken roads,
Forgot about my Guiding Light.
But now I’m going back where I belong.
And everything is alright.
And if I’ve even learned one thing,
It’s that the music never dies.
And if you never reach your rainbow,
At least you’ll see the bluer skies.
Oh yeah, the bluer skies.
Chorus…inst…repeat chorus
© 1988 Tony Funderburk
Stay tuned,
Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered (free) right to your device.
My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books
Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt
Or how about some music for kids
The post Freedom to assemble – not to tremble appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
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By Tony FunderburkI remember studying America’s founding documents when I was in school way back in the twentieth century. And I remember something called the “Bill of Rights.” It must’ve been a big deal. Because teachers and politicians always talked about the freedoms it “gave” all Americans. And one of those was the freedom to assemble.
Something about people freely getting together…even if it was to “petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Yeah, America’s founding fathers wrote up something called a constitution. And they had some arguments about how much power it might give to the federal government. So, some of those guys opposed the constitution until others added that “Bill of Rights.” That’s apparently what they called the first several amendments to that constitution. And the opposing guys must’ve been OK with the “Bill of Rights” because it became a permanent part of the document.
I think the reason this all might have been the way it worked out is because they were so profound in their use of the American language. For example, here’s one of the first lines in those amendments…
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Hey, I told you it was high-brow.
Well, I’m told it was pretty great living in America while that “Bill of Rights” was in place. And I even have vague memories of it myself…being a boomer type dude. But now, even churches aren’t allowed to gather together and worship and sing without the fear of the pastor getting tossed into jail.
Oh well. Time marches on. And rules change. So, who am I to grumble and reminisce? And what good would it do? Yeah, I think I’ll just use one of my last ounces of freedom to assemble these words together and fade gently into that viral, dark night…
Freedom
I’m gunning for the gold medal”aiming for the sun dance.
Don’t wanna be a drifter all my life, I gotta take a new chance.
I’ve driven down the pipeline. I’ve seen so many street signs.
I’m headed back where I began to try to make it mine; all mine.
And if I’ve even learned one thing,
It’s that the music never stops.
And if you dream inside a bubble,
You’ll be surprised when the bubble pops.
Oh, when the bubble pops!
Freedom; don’t want to lose my freedom.
I want to make my choice; make my voice be heard.
Freedom; I’m glad I have my freedom.
If all the world could see,
It would have to be the word…Freedom!
I’m shooting for the north star.
And I’m tickling the silver strings.
I’m glad I have the chance to chase ideas
And turn them into real things.
I’ve been down lots of broken roads,
Forgot about my Guiding Light.
But now I’m going back where I belong.
And everything is alright.
And if I’ve even learned one thing,
It’s that the music never dies.
And if you never reach your rainbow,
At least you’ll see the bluer skies.
Oh yeah, the bluer skies.
Chorus…inst…repeat chorus
© 1988 Tony Funderburk
Stay tuned,
Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered (free) right to your device.
My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books
Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt
Or how about some music for kids
The post Freedom to assemble – not to tremble appeared first on Tony Funderburk.