“I wish I knew how it would feel to be free. I wish I could break all the chains holding me. And I wish I could say all the things that I should say. Say it loud, say it clear for the whole world to hear.”
“I wish I could share all the love that’s in my heart – remove all the bars that keep us apart. And I wish you could know what it means to be, then you’d see and agree that every man should be free.”
“I wish I could give all I’m longing to give. And I wish I could live like I’m longing to live. And I wish I could do all the things that I can do. Though I’m way over due, I’d be starting anew.”
In hearing the words to this song, I think about the fact that there are many people wishing for freedom. It’s unfortunate that even though I can do much in the way of making myself free as a person, there are sometimes systemic things that I can never change on my own that will influence my life. And I think that’s what this song is about. We desire so strongly to do certain things or to be certain things, but at times, there can be laws or unwritten rules that keep people below glass ceilings. Of course, John Legend is now in a place where he can do many of the things that he wishes to do in this song, but even in his place of influence, even he cannot get bounds certain bounds held by race, wealth, and power.
Being free, breaking bounds and chains, free speech, true love, breaking down barriers, sharing the struggles of all people, giving to the less fortunate, doing all that you dream, and starting afresh – these are his desires, and I think these are shared by a lot of people. As much as I’m about individual growth and change, it doesn’t mean much if we don’t then take what we’ve learned and gained and help someone else. So while I fight my own issues and demons, I also have to keep in mind that there are others struggling as well. That’s why there were white people who participated in the Civil Rights Movement, because they understood that this was part of a human issue.
“Well I wish I could be like a bird in the sky. How sweet it would be if I found I could fly. O, I’d soar to the sun then I’d look down at the sea, and I’d sing cuz I know… how it feels…” This last stanza of the song is admittedly my favorite. Even though nothing has changed in the singer’s life, he is allowing his mind to get beyond where he is and imagine flying. Changing things begins with imagining that they can be changed. When you have the presence of mind to see beyond where you are, then you have the vision that will help motivate you to do what’s necessary to seek to make change. You’re not the only one who wants to be free, so find a way to get involved and push for freedom. And even if you have all the rights and freedoms and privileges you want, be aware that not everyone else does, so feel free to fight for someone else.
First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.
-Pastor Martin Niemöller
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