Finding Freedom

             Songs are poetry set to music.  More often than not if you isolate the words of a song you can find a rhyme scheme, and patterns that are found in poetry.  The theme of the song “The Hills Are Alive” from “The Sound of Music” relates directly to pieces of poetry, “Identity” by Julio Noboa Polanco and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou, in that it talks of freedom.  “My heart wants to beat, like the wings of the birds, that rise from the lake to the trees.” (Hammerstein II 9-11)The lyricist wants to escape from whatever it is that’s holding them back from doing what they want.  The desire is to be set free of limitations.  We also see this in the poem by Julio Noboa Palanco called “Identity.”  “To be swayed by the breezes of the ancient sea, carrying my soul, my seed, beyond the mountains of time or into the abyss of the bizarre.” (Palanco 10-11)Both the song and poem describe feelings of desire to “fly” high above any constraints.  This theme is also present in the poem “I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou.  The third stanza describes the caged bird singing, hopelessly but still for the freedom he knows little of but wants so desperately “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams, his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream.”(Angelou 26-27) 

                The tone that I saw exhibited not only in the song but in both poems as well is that of confidence.    The lyricist expresses this strive for freedom proudly and with joy “I go to the hills, when my heart is lonely, I know I will hear what I’ve heard before.”(Hammerstein II 21-24) Here the lyricist exhibits confidence of knowing that they will once again feel the independence that they already have.  In the first poem, “Identity”, the poet expresses clearly what he or she wants.  They are confident in the fact that being a weed is more freeing than a flower.  This can be seen in the last stanza where the poet says “I’d rather smell of musty, green stench than of sweet, fragrant lilac.  If I could stand alone, strong and free, I’d rather be a tall, ugly weed.” (Polanco 19-22) Although the feeling of the second poem is rather sad, I find that the almost hopeless feeling of the bird is related to some form of confidence.   Even though he is restrained from going anywhere other than the cage he still sings his song.  He cannot not do much else because, as it describes in the poem, his wings are clipped and his feet are tied.  It may seem that he would have no confidence for his future, however as it says in the poem “the caged bird sings of freedom.”  He has no experience with it but if he singing for it, it shows he has the confidence that one day he will know it. 

                In order to get their point across lyricists and poets communicate ideas of themes through appealing to human emotion.  In the song “The Hills are Alive” the lyricist focuses on happy thoughts of freedom.  “To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls,” (Hammerstein II 15-16) these two lines indicate the free falling motion of a small body of water.  It provides a clear picture for the listener as well as utilizes key words like “laugh” to indicate joy.  The happiness of being independent could encourage people to strive for their goals.   “Identity” refers to individuality and the freedom of being different.  “If I could stand alone, strong and free, I’d rather be a tall, ugly weed” (Polanco 21-22) This indicates the ability to be one’s self freely, rather than confined to one way of life.  It appeals to people's emotions because no one wants to be seen as weak or incapable.  In “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” a feeling of sadness is represented.  It evokes emotion from people to want to help the confined bird.  “…can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opened his throat to sing.” (Angelou 10-14)People can connect to this poem because it describes a bird that is indeed trapped but has still found a spark of hope, through his song.  It lets us know that whatever situation we are as long as we make the best of it we’ll be okay in the end.         

                Freedom isn't something we easily come by.  It can be taken away just as fast as it can be given.  “The Hills are Alive” expresses the happiness of freedom and what it can offer.  The lyricist is describing how they wish to far from constraints of any sort.  To soar like a bird and flow like a river.  When we read “Identity,” we see freedom as a source of individuality.  Without it, the poet fears they will be just like everyone else.  The flower represents society as a whole, and the weed is the one person who chooses to go their own way.  That is true freedom for the poet.  Finally in “I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings” the poet describes freedom as hope.  Unfortunately the bird is confined and all he can count on for his future freedom is his song.  He holds onto that in the hopes that one day he can live like the free bird.