Plagiarized into 'My Lover's ode'

Image via Wikipedia

This is a very personal post. It is not written by me, neither do I remember where I got it from(I won't try to find it, because then it will cloud my emotions and start evaluating). But this is what I feel like, and I even got a perfect picture to go along with it. This picture is of 'AVAHA', which means 'LOVE' in Hebrew, at the Israeli museum. I can't express any more than what is already done. Beautiful.

Don't go changing, to try and please me

You never let me down before

Don't imagine you're too familiar

And I don't see you anymore

I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble

We never could have come this far

I took the good times, I'll take the bad times

I'll take you just the way you are

Don't go trying some new fashion

Don't change the color of your hair

You always have my unspoken passion

Although I might not seem to care

I don't want clever conversation

I never want to work that hard

I just want someone that I can talk to

I want you just the way you are.

I need to know that you will always be

The same old someone that I knew

What will it take 'till you believe in me

The way that I believe in you.

I said I love you, and that's forever

And this I promise from the heart

I could not love you any better

I love you just the way you are

K'Naan - a prophetic voice beyond, for humanity!

I have never felt so strongly affected by any lyrics as I have been by “Wavin' Flag” by K'Naan. The celebration mix feat Will.I.Am and David Guetta is official song of FIFA 2010 WC along, and has been making lots of rounds in the ESPN. The original lyrics are very raw and says a lot about the actual situation in Africa. The song was redone with lyrics given more feel good touch by Will.I.Am and K'Naan to make it more 'palatable' to the developed countries. But then, the old lyrics have such more power, I can hear that one more than the new one, because I can listen to the words any number of time.

The song starts without any musical instruments accompanying K'Naan and his voice is like a kid singing just so that he can forget his pains. There is joy in the voice, a hope which radiates from the person even though it is only recorded version. The lyrics show the history of the powerful continent of Africa, where the first kingdoms came to be. The nations which even rattled the mighty empire of Rome, which now is full of violence. Each of the citizens of these nations run to west, to the havens there, looking for hope. Only a few make it, and one of those few is now President of most powerful nation of the modern world.

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

(n then it goes back, n then it goes back)

Born to a throne, stronger then Rome
A violent prone, poor people zone
But it's my home, all I have known
Where I got grown, streets we would roam
Out of the darkness, I came the farthest
Among the hardest survivors
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak
Except no defeat, surrender, retreat
So we strugglin', fightin' to eat
And we wonderin', when we'll be free
So we patiently wait for that fateful day
It's not far away, but for now we say...

Each of these cantos make you think what it is out there, how the people are living, if the images that you see in BBC are really there, why the billions and trillions put together by charities through the years haven't been able to bring any betterment in the conditions. The nations which paved thousand of kilometers of road with goal for the fancy of a king going to Mecca is now poorer than many companies. The nations which were among the first to be civilized are now uncivilized, their art and literature are looked upon as ethnic and exquisite, a collectors choice kind. Wars are common still, while many haven't heard a single shot fired in their life. An AK 47 is cheaper than a liter of milk, and fresh milk is almost unavailable unless you are really rich or powerful. The rest of the lyrics says why.

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

So many wars, settlin' scores
Bringin' us promises, leavin' us poor
I heard 'em say, love is the way
Love is the answer, that's what they say
But look how they treat us
Make us believers, we fight their battles
Then they deceive us
Tried to control us, they couldn't hold us
Cos we just moved forward like Buffalo Soldiers
But we strugglin', fightin' to eat
And we wonderin', when we'll be free
So we patiently wait for that fateful day
It's not far away, but for now we say...

The wars fought for their sake are bleeding them more. Is it really bringing any good? What is the answer to this question which every sane person asks. Are they being deceived by a mirage, of better future after the war while they are kept in perpetual conflict, the zone never demilitarized!

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

And everybody will be singing it
And you and I will be singing it
And we all will be singing it

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

(Outro)
When I get older; when I get older
I will be stronger, just like a wavin' flag
Just like a wavin' flag, just like a wavin' flag
Flag, flag, just like a wavin' flag

So many kids out there are waiting to get older, to grow old into freedom. When will this happen, patience is their only weapon. Let the powers in the nature give them strength.

Wavin' Flag (FIFA version Spanish)

If I could understand Spanish, then it would have been great because of all the songs which I have heard for a football game, the song by K'Naan and David Bisbal is superior to everything. It evokes all the emotions which only WC can give.

The video starts with last years winning moment, but the real images that gives vent to all emotions pent up inside are the yellow, blue, red, white and green painted fans. The big drums which beat to your hearts beat just brings those old matches to life, you see Pele being taken on shoulders of his team mates, wrapped in Brazilian flag after 1970 victory, the image of Maradona, kissing the cup, and the the great man crying after the loss in 1990, the crest fallen Baggio standing with his hands on his hip, the image of Cryuff playing the 1974 final, marshaling his troops without luck, and still trying, the desperation in each moment as the clock ticks away, and the resolute Germans defending, all the memories flood and you are left groping for words. As the song says, see the champions take the field now,you are the fighters, make us proud now.

Each person, irrespective of the nation they support, no matter if their country has qualified a light year back, and still couldn't play because they could play only barefoot, is a winner in this beautiful game. As we lose our inhibitions, celebrations' are around us, lets rejoice in the beautiful game.

1 Goal: Education for all

Image by alicepopkorn via Flickr

As the WC unfolds in the continent where the humans first walked and civilization started, the same people are now facing a threat to their very life each day. FIFA is championing the cause of education for all in Africa and WC in South Africa is seen as the special purpose vehicle for that. On the eve of Kick off day of WC 2010, FIFA organized a charity concert with some of the biggest names in African and World music taking stage for the cause. There was a good mixture of native and international songs, some of the music were truly great. There was Alicia Keys singing Empire state of mind to the tune of World Cup, and boy it was wonderful. The official song of WC 2010, Waka Waka(its time for Africa) by Shakira was much awaited. Sadly, the live version didn't live up to the magic when the same had football's greatest moments interceded with the visual. Though Shakira is beautiful to watch, football is ethereal. The highlight of the concert was the song by K'naan. What a powerful lyrics, when you hear him sing about how they are cheated by the authorities, the way they are told gang wars are cool and the way their lives are taken away from them for the joy of a few, evokes vivid images. His voice is very smooth, singing as if he is telling you a lullaby only to wake you up from your slumber. The magic of the Waving flag is the nakedness of the song. It doesn't preach, neither does it cry out, it just says the life. I have heard FIFA theme songs over the years from Cup of Life to Waka Waka, but this song is the closest to my heart. There were advertisements in between about the 1GOAL program. This is endorsed by lots of people, people who cannot afford not to- on various counts. I do not know my part in this, but whatever is to be done by me, will be done. I hope everyone sees the advertisement of 1GOAL, not the one with Pele and Zidane, but the one with people of Africa, and decide for yourself.

Waka Waka

Image via Wikipedia

The official anthem of FIFA 2010 WC is shown in all the channels. Its beautiful Shakira singing it in her husky voice, for Africa and for the people of the world. The beautiful game sees its latest host in the beautiful nation of rainbows. The land of Big Four of Africa, the beautiful land with ultimate human experience – Suda Africa.

The song is beautifully pictured with greatest moments in football captured in the canvas. The joy of a country, and the cry of passion, the dance, the drums and the ticker tapes – all are captured in the video and the voice takes the entire passion into another realm. The opening concert also had the same song sung live by Shakira. She is so beautiful. Her body is so sensuous to the movements of the wind, and the smile is as good as the song. Her hips move as if they are caressed by some invisible hand, and the body bends backwards being held by same hand. Only the wind can make the tender sapling move like this. Is it primitive to dance like she does or is it a superior abandon? Whatever it is, she takes the entire singing and dancing to the heart rather than mind.