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

Photography • Collage • posted on Dec 13, 2010

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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)

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bmac62

11:24PM | Mon, 13 December 2010

Way to go Sandra. Happy 400th:) Excellent write-up.

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Kaartijer

12:39AM | Tue, 14 December 2010

Never been to Bremen, even if I have an aunt there... great shot, well seen! Congrats on your 400th upload!

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PSDuck

12:44AM | Tue, 14 December 2010

Great posting! Lenin said a thought is more dangerous than a bullet. This is why Communist (and repressive, totalitarian states) execute the intelligensia. Artists and the press are next in line.

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efron_241

12:23PM | Tue, 14 December 2010

good text.. still i think the person would like some money 400 images.. wow... Curious about the first one.. I saw some bugs in love... Hmmmm these two are no longer with us... I fear.. but for you... towards 800 !!

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dochtersions

1:13PM | Tue, 14 December 2010

Sehr beeindrückend Gedicht. Ich liebe die Wörter, liebe dein 400e, liebe Sandra46!!! Wunderschön <3

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jocko500

5:43PM | Tue, 14 December 2010

this is wonderful image going with the song. very good on the 400 strong images you have

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amota99517

6:14PM | Tue, 14 December 2010

This is absolutely fantastic!!! It's an excellent art piece for your 400th upload.

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Rhanagaz

7:01PM | Tue, 14 December 2010

Excellent image and post work! Still today a lot of people try to tell us what to think and not to think (politicians, economists etc.)! So the words are not to forget! ;o) R.

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danapommet

9:43PM | Tue, 14 December 2010

I love this look Sandra! The colors are so soft. Wonderful narrative and word to the song. Congratulations an #400. Dana

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wysiwig

2:35AM | Wed, 15 December 2010

A very appropriate title for this week when the Nobel Laureate for Peace sits in a Chinese prison. Tony (delaorden_ojeda) has a tribute to Liu Xiaobo on his gallery here: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2145280 Excellent image and post work. Thank you for the history. And congratulations on 400.

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anmes

3:31AM | Wed, 15 December 2010

The thoughts in the poem, the background infoand your upload make a very satisfying whole, Sandra. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on 400.

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MOSKETON

5:35PM | Wed, 15 December 2010

GENIAL, ME ENCANTA.

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erlandpil

2:15AM | Fri, 17 December 2010

Wonderful..congratulations on your 400th!! from me to erland

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blondeblurr

9:11AM | Fri, 17 December 2010

Congratulations on your 400th Sandra, - WOW! (4x as much as moi) outstanding image ! BB

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Thetis

11:03AM | Fri, 17 December 2010

love the song. such a marvelous image to illustrate it! welcome to Germany :))

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Marinette

3:06PM | Fri, 17 December 2010

Un piccolo gioiello! Congratulazioni per il tuo 400° lavoro. :-)gea

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tennesseecowgirl

7:41PM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Wonderful work for you 400th big congratulations...

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Chipka

10:12PM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Congratulations on 400 postings. Hopefully there are 400 more to enjoy! I love this and the concept behind it. On a level it reminds me of something an anthropologist told me in regard to her trip to Omsk, Russia...back when NOBODY went to Omsk. She met this homeless guy there who explained the value of vodka as more than the value of money, he asked: "What good is money to buy pants when my soul needs vodka?" This makes me wonder? What use is something/anything, when there are books, when there are things to learn? I like the strange and touching surprise in this: the homeless person reading, the idea that, perhaps, he's not interested in what passerbys leave. Marvelous. That's an almost Zen-like detachment, not on things, but on the everlasting, ever-changing moment. Marvelous. I love the work you've done on this.

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Star4mation

9:10AM | Sun, 19 December 2010

Congratz on your 400th image Sandra! :)

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mgtcs

9:19PM | Tue, 21 December 2010

This is the most beautiful image dear Sandra, lovely image, congratulations for your 400th!

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JuliSonne

9:42AM | Thu, 23 December 2010

What could be better than a "free spirit" - despite all the obstacles? This image and message are the best I've seen 2010! My absolute favorite! THANKS! JulySun

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myrrhluz

9:16PM | Wed, 29 December 2010

Congrats on 400! This is an excellent image and song for the occasion! Wonderful information. I looked up the Pete Seeger CD and put it on my "to get" list. I recently finished reading a great book called "Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" by David Bianculli. After I finished it I got the second season of the show and saw the episode where Pete Seeger sang "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" after it had been censored out of an earlier show. This is a wonderful song! Thank you for telling us about it. How excellent to see this song and know that it has been reassuring people throughout the centuries. Telling them to not be fooled by those who would try to dictate thought. Superb image and postwork! I love the connection of freedom of thought with reading. Your uploads are always beautiful, interesting, and intriguing. I look forward to 400 more!

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