Do you hear the people sing?

It is almost indescribable watching what is happening in Hong Kong. The awe at such brave people confronting Leviathan. The astonished admiration for how they have conducted such broadly peaceful protests. The sheer love of seeing a people seeking freedom and liberty.

And the nagging fear. There is little we can or should do other than provide moral support. I pray that their courage is rewarded with peaceful progress.

I have been reading a lot of American Revolution history in the past year or so and it is easy to see so many echoes between the two movements.

Sometime in the past six months I became aware of HK protests with a plethora of American flags as emblems of freedom and the protesters singing the American national anthem.

Then a couple of days ago, though apparently it has been happening for some time, crowds singing the freedom song from Les Mis.


Double click to enlarge.

Do you hear the people sing?
by Herbert Kretzmer

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!

When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?

Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?

It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums

There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance

Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France!

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again

When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes

And today I am seeing school children singing it in their school assemblies.


Double click to enlarge.

Moving beyond belief. So distant from us and so near to the heart.


Finally, a version with 17 Valjeans from countries across the world singing of freedom in their own languages.