Die Gedanken sind frei - Thoughts Are Free (400th) by sandra46

Photography • Collage • posted on Dec 13, 2010

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description

I took this shot in Bremen, Germany, and I think it's a good one for my 400th posting. I was intrigued by this tramp sitting near a supermarket door, reading a book while waiting for the casual passers-by's charity. Actually, he seemed he didn't care about it, as if he needed the money more to feed his soul than his stomach. I added the writings on the left, and bleached the background. The title comes from a very ancient German song, Die Gedanken sind frei (Thoughts are free). The text and the melody were first printed in Bern, Switzerland between 1810 and 1820. The original lyricist and the composer are unknown, though the most popular version was rendered by Hoffmann von Fallersleben in his 1842 collection Schlesische Volkslieder mit Melodien. The idea represented in the title — that thoughts are free — was expressed as early as in Antiquity, and became prominent again in the Middle Ages. The text as it first occurred on leaflets about 1780 originally had four strophes to which a fifth was later added. Today, their order may vary. Since the days of the Carlsbad Decrees and the Age of Metternich, Die Gedanken sind frei was a popular protest song against political repression and censorship, especially among the banned Burschenschaften student fraternities. In the aftermath of the 1848 German Revolution and in Nazi Germany, the song was proscribed. It had importance for the White Rose anti-Nazi resistance movement in Germany. Pete Seeger recorded the song in 1966 on his Dangerous Songs! album. Thoughts are free, who can guess them? They flee by like nocturnal shadows. No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them, with powder and lead: Thoughts are free! I think what I want, and what delights me, still always reticent, and as it is suitable. My wish and desire, no one can deny me and so it will always be: Thoughts are free! And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon, all this would be futile work, because my thoughts tear all gates and walls apart. Thoughts are free! So I will renounce my sorrows forever, and never again will torture myself with some fancy ideas. In one's heart, one can always laugh and joke and think at the same time: Thoughts are free! I love wine, and my girl even more, Only I like her best of all. I'm not alone with my glass of wine, my girl is with me: Thoughts are free! Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten, sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten. Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen mit Pulver und Blei, Die Gedanken sind frei! Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket, doch alles in der Still', und wie es sich schicket. Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niemand mir wehren, es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker, das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke. Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken und Mauern entzwei, die Gedanken sind frei! Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen absagen und will mich auch nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen. Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! Ich liebe den Wein, mein Mädchen vor allen, sie tut mir allein am besten gefallen. Ich sitz nicht alleine bei einem Glas Weine, mein Mädchen dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! Thanks for your kind comments.

Comments (54)

)

jayfar

10:03AM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Lovely image and congratulation on your 400th.

)

smillinfaces

10:19AM | Mon, 13 December 2010

n wunderschönes werk mehr muß man gar nich sagen dankeschön smillinfaces

)

anahata.c

10:28AM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Sandra, I didn't even see that you were approaching 400! My next upload will be your dedi---how well timed! And I know of this lyric only from my now-faint memory of medieval germanic song, and (hope I spell it right!) "Walther von der Vogelweide". (I think he was one of the first singers of those words back in the Middle Ages. What did we remember most? That he had an "h" in Walther! Shows you how little we cared about the music, lol...) Such a wonderful iconic lyric to quote for your gallery, where you bring so many worlds together under one roof, and do it with such amazing ease. (Thoughts are free!) The image is also perfect because it's someone wanting charity but also wrapped up in his own world with a city background around him (the bicycles, the walls, the streets...): Ie, the coming-together of several worlds into one place. You've made it into a tapestry, a work of art; and that's what all your uploads are. And given with your always thoughtfully-written thoughts & history. I mean, what could be more germane to your uploads than 'thoughts are free'? You've scoured the world to give us all that's free & inspiring in it: A fitting text for a milestone in your gallery. Congratulations Sandra! I wish you 4000 more!

)

njb2000

10:29AM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Great 400th lovely song and shot!

)

J5ive

10:37AM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Excellent composition!!

)

brycek

10:49AM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Wonderful..congratulations on your 400th!!

)

durleybeachbum

11:01AM | Mon, 13 December 2010

What a brilliant pic and a great poem!

)

Vialliy

12:00PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Was soll ich noch hinzufuegen. Gratuliere mit deinem vierhundertsten Photo.

)

claude19

12:29PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Les pensées sont libres, qui peut les deviner? Elles fuient comme des ombres dans la nuit. Aucun homme ne peut les connaître, aucun chasseur ne peut tirer sur elles, avec de la poudre et de plomb: Les pensées sont libres! Je ne pense que ce que je veux, et ce qui me plaît, encore et toujours réticente, et comme il convient. Mon souhait et le désir, personne ne peut me les refuser et il en sera toujours ainsi: Les pensées sont libres! Et si je suis jetée dans le plus noir cachot, tout cela sera un travail inutile, parce que mes pensées transpercent toutes les portes et les murs au dehors. Les pensées sont libres! Donc, je vais renoncer à mes chagrins à jamais, et plus jamais me torturer avec quelque idée fantaisiste. Dans mon cœur, je peux toujours rire et plaisanter, et penser en même temps: Les pensées sont libres! J'aime le vin, mais ma fille encore plus, Seulement, je la préfère plus que tout. Je ne suis pas seule avec mon verre de vin, ma fille avec moi: Les pensées sont libres! SPLENDID poem ! Thanks

)

jarmila

1:19PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

un po' triste per le feste, ma purtroppo anche reali...bella cattura street,ciao

)

magnus073

1:28PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Sandra, first of all let me congratulate you on 400 images. Your gallery is such a treat to so many, and a great place to learn. This was a very thoughtful image and the poem really set the tone

)

drifterlee

1:32PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Wonderful shot! Congrats on 400!!!!!!!

)

MagikUnicorn

1:53PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Brilliant

)

renecyberdoc

2:07PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

did not Milva made a song with these lyric??.bertold brecht??.

)

Richardphotos

2:13PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

congrats on 400 posts and todays is a fitting tribute to your gallery

)

DananJaya_Chef

2:26PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

)

alessimarco

2:26PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

~Marvelous work on this!!! Congrats on 400!~

)

mickeyrony

2:56PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

A tasty 400ty my Beatiful . You bring calm to this site. Your posts are always extravagant flavors of all kinds. Bravo and thanks mile for sharing your efforts ((5 + +)) Une 400ty savoureuse ma Belle . Tu apportes un calme sur ce site . Tes posts sont toujours à l'extravagance en saveurs de toutes sortes . Bravo et mile mercis de partager tes efforts((5++))

)

jmb007

3:54PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

belle 400eme!!

)

mariogiannecchini

4:40PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Bella immagine per ! Ottimo lavoro e grandi concetti espressi ! Complimenti per il 400° traguardo.

)

Faemike55

4:47PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Congratulations on 400 uploads! Great image and thoughts to celebrate the event

)

flora-crassella

4:57PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

sad...... Congratulations on 400 uploads!

)

jeroni

5:29PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Beautiful composition. excellent work. Congratulations on 400 uploads

)

Radar_rad-dude

5:45PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

A most superb photo and wonderful way to celebrate your 400th! I really enjoyed your decriptive of 'thoughts are free'! A most exceptional verse and concept! Well done, Sandra and again, CONGRATULATIONS ON # 400 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

)