There is a prevailing theme of hope and peace that we can see scattered in songs throughout the years, but none of them capture the message quite like this one does. Orginally composed for "The Wizard of Oz" 'Over the Rainbow' is an anthem of promise. In this version of the song, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole blends this song beautifully with Louie Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World", an equally powerful plea for a world of promise.
However, hidden in this promise of a 'wonderful world' is a plea for the realization of this dream. "I dream of this world of beauty, love and peace, but 'why, oh, why, can't I' have it?
Wow, what a beautiful blend of two incredible songs! Sometimes, I think that the "world of beauty, love and peace" is not necessarily some place to arrive at, but more of a mindset to have, something to strive for, and a journey to make. Love and peace do not simply happen, there has to be be someone out there to constantly keep this hope alive in his or her heart and share that hope with the world!
ReplyDelete~ Kristen
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever performed, I think, when it comes to peace and love. It is calm, and hopeful, and happy, and yet realistic. It doesn't say "oh man, think of how great the world could be. If only ....." It just says "find beauty in how it is now." I love it.
ReplyDeleteThough I'd never have thought of this as a political song, I think it fits well into your particular blog topic of freedom and liberty. What can free us from our surroundings? Bring us liberty from situations beyond our conntrol? Peace of mind. And Israel brings us just that from the first note through the last.