And when I rise
Let me rise
Like a bird
Joyfully
When I fall
Let me fall
Like a leaf
Gracefully
When I stand
Let me stand
Like a tree
Strong and tall
When I lay
Let me lay
Like a lake
Reflecting all
When I resist
I will resist
Like the sea
Relentlessly
When I speak
I will speak
Like the wind
Loud and free
SONG NOTES:
When I rise up
let me rise up joyful
like a bird.
When I fall
let me fall without regret
like a leaf.
Wendell Berry
Dear friends,
I'd like to give more context about the song we are singing, when I rise. There's been some misinformation about it, and I apologize for not explaining the background of this song more thoroughly.
A few times It's been said that I've written this song, this is not the case. The melody of this song is anonomous and varied, as are the words. There are recordings of numerous artists singing this song, with differing melodies, words and intentions. No one as far as I know has claimed "ownership", for lack of a better word..
I was taught this song at Bread and Puppet Theater by two different people two different times, Brian and Tyson, who taught me two slightly different versions.
Truly only the first verse can be attributed to Wendell Berry and some liberties have been taken, as you can see. (Maybe we should be more true to this first passage?) On the way over the bridge on the way to Ravi's check in and Jericho walk a few months ago, I added the words of the last passage about speaking truth and resistance. Some of us sang them in the church after the action. I asked Savi for a better word to describe the wind, she said "loud."
All that being said, its a pleasure to sing with all of you. We have made this song our own and it can continue to change and grow as it needs to.
Love,
Gregory