The air of England has long been too pure for a slave, and every man is free who breathes it.
quote by James Mansfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Freedom's in the air
‘Let Justice be done,
though the heavens may fall’…
Now the overnight, merciful dew
has fallen on the hottest July day
on record, (why does it give us
some sorta touch of personal pride?)
and on my rant of yesterday
about a Britain of whose recent past
I’m more than a little ashamed
in my rather downplayed English way... then
the wickedly and useful perverse mind
turns to what’s good; and
in Saint Augustine’s succinct words,
I exist; I know that I exist; and
I am happy to know that I exist..
It’s hot again today; in London here
a good place to be is hign above London
on Hampstead Heath with its fresher,
cooler air, its natural bathing ponds
and view of City and St Paul’s down there;
presided over by Kenwood House;
filled with the shade of William Murray,
1st Lord Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice,
who in 1772, presided over the case
where James Somerset, slave, shackled
in a slave ship moored off Bristol
on his way to America,
sued his 'master', Mr. Stewart of Virginia
(the English colony, you’ll note) :
‘Let the slave go free’ His Lordship finally declared –
adding the comment with which I began…
and eventually, the heavens fell..
Or perhaps, the earth rose up to meet them…
and generations of proud British and other students of the law
have learned those words about our common law
which His Lordship would perhaps have said,
but didn’t actually: ‘The air of England
is too pure for a slave to breathe, and so,
everyone who breathes it, becomes free…’
Yes, this sweltering hot day, the air of Hampstead Heath
feels fresher, cooler; in the nostrils, filling the chest,
smells so good.
poem by Michael Shepherd
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What You Are
When you wanted me i came to you
when you wanted someone else i withdrew
when you asked for a light i set myself on fire
and if i go
far away
i know you'll find another slave
cause now i'm free
from what you want
now i'm free
from what you need
now i'm free
from what you are
when you wanted blood i cut my veins
and when you wanted love i bled myself again
now that i've had my fill you
i'd give you up forever
and here i go
far away
i know you
you'll find another slave
cause now i'm free
from what you are
now i'm free from what you need
now i'm free
from what you are
then a vision came to me
when you came along
i gave you everything but then you wanted more
cause now i'm free
from what you want
now i'm free
from what you need
now i'm free
from what you are
hey
now i'm free
from what you want
now i'm free
from what you need
now im free
song performed by by Audioslave
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The good man, though a slave, is free; the wicked, though he reigns, is a slave, and not the slave of a single man, but — what is worse — the slave of as many masters as he has vices.
quote by Saint Augustine
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Home Thoughts from Abroad
April in England–daffodils are growing
By every wayside, golden, tall and fair;
April–and all the little winds are blowing
The scents of springtime through the sunny air.
April in England–God, that we were there!
April in England–and her sons are lying
On these red fields, and dreaming of her shore;
April–we hear the thrushes' songs replying
Each unto each, above the cannons' roar;
April in England–shall we see it more?
April in England–there's the cuckoo calling
Down in her meadows where the cowslip gleams;
April–and little showers are softly falling,
Dimpling the surface of her babbling streams;
April in England–how the shrapnel screams!
April in England–blood and dust and smother,
Screaming of horses, men in agony.
April–full many of thy sons, O Mother,
Never again those dewy dawns shall see.
April in England–God, keep England free!
poem by Norah M. Holland
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The Slave and the Vagabond
The slave worked hard, all day long.
The vagabond slept, all day long.
The slave died tired, broken, and in debt.
The vagabond died free, without regret.
poem by Chaarzarul Rockett
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Love Olove
Love olove olove olove
Say love olove olove olove
I had a love so pure so strong
I keep wondering just where my love went wrong
My love went wrong
I say why oh why wont love free me
Why o why wont love love free me
Oh untie my hands unchain my feet
And set my poos ol body free
I... why must love keep me a slave oh
Why why must love keep me a slave
I cant help myself I aint got no friends
It will take me take me straight to my grave
Love will take me straight to my grave
song performed by by Nina Simone
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sir Richard's Song
(A. D. 1066)
I followed my Duke ere I was a lover,
To take from England fief and fee;
But now this game is the other way over--
But now England hath taken me!
I had my horse, my shield and banner,
And a boy's heart, so whole and free;
But now I sing in another manner--
But now England hath taken me!
As for my Father in his tower,
Asking news of my ship at sea,
He will remember his own hour--
Tell him England hath taken me!
As for my Mother in her bower,
That rules my Father so cunningly,
She will remember a maiden's power--
Tell her England hath taken me!
As for my Brother in Rouen City,
A nimble and naughty' page is he,
But he will come to suffer and pity--
Tell him England hath taken me!
As for my little Sister waiting
In the pleasant orchards of Normandie,
Tell her youth is the time for mating--
Tell her England hath taken me!
As for my comrades in camp and highway
That lift their eyebrows scornfully,
Tell them their way is not my way--
Tell them England hath taken me!
Kings and Princes and Barons famed,
Knights and Captains in your degree;
Hear me a little before I am blamed--
Seeing England hath taken me!
Howso great man's strength be reckoned,
There are two things he cannot flee.
Love is the first, and Death is the second-
And Love in England hath taken me!
poem by Rudyard Kipling
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Pro Rege Nostro
WHAT have I done for you,
England, my England?
What is there I would not do,
England, my own?
With your glorious eyes austere,
As the Lord were walking near,
Whispering terrible things and dear
As the Song on your bugles blown, England --
Round the world on your bugles blown!
Where shall the watchful Sun,
England, my England,
Match the master-work you've done,
England, my own?
When shall he rejoice again
Such a breed of mighty men
As come forward, one to ten,
To the Song on your bugles blown, England --
Down the years on your bugles blown?
Ever the faith endures,
England, my England: --
'Take and break us: we are yours,
England, my own!
Life is good, and joy runs high
Between English earth and sky:
Death is death; but we shall die
To the Song on your bugles blown, England --
To the stars on your bugles blown!'
They call you proud and hard,
England, my England:
You with worlds to watch and ward,
England, my own!
You whose mailed hand keeps the keys
Of such teeming destinies,
You could know nor dread nor ease,
Were the Song on your bugles blown, England --
Round the Pit on your bugles blown!
Mother of Ships whose might,
England, my England,
Is the fierce old Sea's delight,
England, my own,
Chosen daughter of the Lord,
Spouse-in-Chief of the ancient Sword,
There's the menace of the Word
In the Song of your bugles blown, England --
Out of heaven on your bugles blown!
poem by William Ernest Henley
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Ripoff
I don't wanna be no traitor to the cause
But England is a luxury - not many can afford
There's people going under - it's getting out of hand
Whatever happened to our - our green and pleasant land?
It turned into a wilderness; it turned into a third world country
Most people ain't getting what they pay for
Some people gettin' more than they should be
I know, I know - I'm an alien - but what are you gonna do
I wanna live in England - but it gets to you
It gets to you, it gets to you, it gets to you
I really don't know why - England's such a ripoff
It's crazy, but it's true
I really don't know why - England wants to rip off you
England wants to rip off you, England wants to rip off you
What do you do when you find out?
Where do you go if you leave?
There's no place like home - that's what they say
And that's what you always believed
Someday you might win the Lottery
Someday you might win the Pools
But that's all you've got - that's all you've got
- to live for, to live for
That's all you've got - that's all you've got -
to live for, to live for (yeah)
To be or not to be - that's the question
Oh what's it gonna be?
I'd love to live in England - but it gets to me
it gets to me, it gets to me, yeah it gets to me
I really don't know why - England's such a ripoff
It's crazy, but it's true
I really don't know why - England wants to rip off you
England wants to rip off you, England wants to rip off you
I really don't know why - England's such a ripoff
It's crazy, but it's true
Oh I really don't know why - England wants to rip off
England wants to rip off , England wants to rip o
song performed by by Ian Hunter
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Got To Be Free
Hush little baby dont you cry
Soon the sun is going to shine
Were going to be free like the birds and the bees
Running wild in the big country
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
As free as the birds up in the sky
As free as the bugs and the spiders and flies
I dont know how but Im gonna try
Ive just got to be free
And it wont be long cos were right
And they are wrong
Weve got to get out of this world somehow
Weve got to be free, weve got to be free now
Got to be free to laugh when I want
Think what I want and cry if I like
Got to be free to do what I want
Say what I want and swear if I like
As free as the sun and the moon in the sky
As free as a flea or a proud butterfly
I dont know how but Im gonna try
Ive just got to be free
Yeah, weve got to get out of this world somehow
Weve got to be free, weve got to be free now
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want and talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
Ive got to be proud and stand up straight
And let people see I aint nobodys slave
Ive got to be free before its too late
Ive just got to be free
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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If a man carries his horse out of a slave State into a free one, be does not lose his property interest in him; but if he carries his slave into a free State, the law makes him free.
quote by Benjamin F. Wade
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What Have I Done For You
What have I done for you,
England, my England?
What is there I would not do,
England, my own?
With your glorious eyes austere,
As the Lord were walking near,
Whispering terrible things and dear
As the Song on your bugles blown,
England -
Round the world on your bugles blown!
Where shall the watchful Sun,
England, my England,
Match the master-work you've done,
England, my own?
When shall he rejoice agen
Such a breed of mighty men
As come forward, one to ten,
To the Song on your bugles blown,
England -
Down the years on your bugles blown?
Ever the faith endures,
England, my England:-
'Take and break us: we are yours,
'England, my own!
'Life is good, and joy runs high
'Between English earth and sky:
'Death is death; but we shall die
'To the Song on your bugles blown,
'England -
'To the stars on your bugles blown!
They call you proud and hard,
England, my England:
You with worlds to watch and ward,
England, my own!
You whose mailed hand keeps the keys
Of such teeming destinies
You could know nor dread nor ease
Were the Song on your bugles blown,
England,
Round the Pit on your bugles blown!
Mother of Ships whose might,
England, my England,
Is the fierce old Sea's delight,
England, my own,
Chosen daughter of the Lord,
Spouse-in-Chief of the ancient sword,
There's the menace of the Word
In the Song on your bugles blown,
England -
Out of heaven on your bugles blown!
poem by William Ernest Henley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Ill Never Be Free
Each time I hold somebody new
My arms go cold thinking of you
No one can take your place, darling, in my embrace
Ill never be free.
And when my lips burn with desire
No other kiss can put out the fire
Though I may try and try, no one can satisfy
This longing in me.
(chorus)
Ill never be free from your smile so tender
The sweet surrender in your eyes
I cannot be free when I remember
How you fill me with desire.
Just like a train tracks through my heart
Your love remains while were apart
That kiss I gave to you
Made me a slave to you
Ill never be free.
Chorus
That kiss I gave to you
Made me a slave to you
Ill never be free.
song performed by by Van Morrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It would be better that England should be free than that England should be compulsorily sober.
quote by William Connor Magee
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Oh England My Lionheart
Oh! england, my lionheart,
Im in your garden, fading fast in your arms.
The soldiers soften, the war is over.
The air raid shelters are blooming clover.
Flapping umbrellas fill the lanes--
My london bridge in rain again.
Oh! england, my lionheart!
Peter pan steals the kids in kensington park.
You read me shakespeare on the rolling thames--
That old river poet that never, ever ends.
Our thumping hearts hold the ravens in,
And keep the tower from tumbling.
Oh! england, my lionheart,
Oh! england, my lionheart,
Oh! england, my lionheart,
I dont want to go.
Oh! england, my lionheart!
Dropped from my black spitfire to my funeral barge.
Give me one kiss in apple-blossom.
Give me one wish, and Id be wassailing
In the orchard, my english rose,
Or with my shepherd, wholl bring me home.
Oh! england, my lionheart,
Oh! england, my lionheart,
Oh! england, my lionheart,
I dont want to go.
Oh! england, my lionheart,
Oh! england, my lionheart,
Oh! england, my lionheart,
I dont want to go.
song performed by by Kate Bush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ch 05 On Love And Youth Story 02
It is said that a gentleman possessed a slave of exquisite beauty, whom he regarded with love and affection. He nevertheless said to a friend: ‘Would that this slave of mine, with all the beauty and good qualities he possesses, had not a long and uncivil tongue!’ He replied: ‘Brother, do not expect service, after professing friendship; because when relations between lover and beloved come in, the relations between master and servant are superseded’:
When a master with a fairy-faced slave
Begins to play and to laugh
What wonder if the latter coquets like the master
And the gentleman bears it like a slave?
A slave is to draw water and make bricks.
A pampered slave will strike with the fist.
Dreaming City
When the whole city goes to sleep
Dreams and hopes arise in the company
Of the cold darkness
When the whole city goes to sleep
Pure imaginations crawl out of their cage
To free the long imprisoned ego slave
When the whole city goes to sleep
Many desires become thirstier
Many rich souls change from rich to wealthier
When the whole city goes to sleep
Many ills are unleashed
poem by Irenio Irenaeus Bero
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Elegy in a Country Churchyard
The men that worked for England
They have their graves at home:
And bees and birds of England
About the cross can roam.
But they that fought for England,
Following a falling star,
Alas, alas for England
They have their graves afar.
And they that rule in England,
In stately conclave met,
Alas, alas for England,
They have no graves as yet.
poem by Gilbert Keith Chesterton
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The Australian Flag
PURE blue Flag of heaven
With your silver stars,
Not beside those Crosses'
Blood-stained torture-bars:
Not beside the token
The foul sea-harlot gave,
Pure blue Flag of heaven,
Must you ever wave!
No, but young exultant,
Free from care and crime,
The soulless selfish England
Of this later time:
No, but, faithful, noble
Rising from her grave,
Flag of light and liberty,
For ever must you wave!
poem by Francis William Lauderdale Adams
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Elegy in a Country Churchyard
The men that worked for England
They have their graves at home:
And bees and birds of England
About the cross can roam.
But they that fought for England,
Following a falling star,
Alas, alas for England
They have their graves afar.
And they that rule in England,
In stately conclave met,
Alas, alas for England,
They have no graves as yet.
poem by G.K. Chesterton
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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