Bersama this semester has been very busy. We performed at UWC day and at the MUN conference In both performances, I was able to perform solo pieces that differed in topic, style and delivery.
The performance at UWC day was a celebratory piece of the school and what we try to embody in the UWC movement. For the performance, we sang the UWC school song, written by Hannah Jones and Molly Stirrat. They asked me to write a short rap that would become part of the song. I was ecstatic when they asked me but I was also nervous because this is something that would probably last a while. The knowledge that the song would probably be performed after I had left the school was the hardest part; the challenge was to write something that would remain true for years to come as well as something that could be understood and appreciated by all, not just high school students. I came up with this:
It’s my squad, it’s my team it’s my crew
And when we stick together ain’t nothing we can’t do
Cause on my own I’m alone, but I still feel at home
When I walk through these halls, I feel in my zone
In this United – World – College,
Opening my mind through the learning of this knowledge
As I open up my heart and I open up my eyes
I see a sustainable future, a force to unite
Save the turtles
Then we performed at the MUN conference. This one was special because I also performed an original piece, a song that I call “We Are Free”. The song is about peer pressure, and being free from it which I think is a timely message in today’s trend-driven age. Below are the lyrics for the song:
Here we are today
And we’ve found a way
Cause we’ve escaped
From this place of pain
We’re no longer slaves
We don’t have to change
In this present day
We can now say…
We are free, we are free
There’s no stopping us
(We are free, we are free)
We don’t have to follow
(We are free, we are free)
We are not held by sorrow
(We are free, we are free)
We have a better tomorrow
(We are free, we are free)
We can now say
(We are free, we are free)
I tell the truth and I make the devil shame
Nowadays I leave enemies in my wake
Cause I’m no longer afraid
And I’m no longer a slave
To other people
No longer needing their approval
I’m finally free, and fresh out of jail
Locked up for putting my person up for sale
But I’ve never known freedom
Killing my self I’ve been charged with treason
I put the king in kingdom
I didn’t need a reason
To stop me being a victim
Only God could judge me, so I’m full of all his wisdom
But hierarchy is arbitrary , always been a visionary
My way or the highway, now i move when I say
Word to Uzi, I do what I want
Now I’ve got the backing so no need for me to front
I’m being blunt
Alpha, riding on my own terms
I went to the mountains, and here’s what I learnt
Here we are today
And we’ve found a way
Cause we’ve escaped
From this place of pain
We’re no longer slaves
We don’t have to change
Today
We will now say…
We are free, we are free
There’s no stopping us
(We are free, we are free)
We don’t have to follow
(We are free, we are free)
We are not held by sorrow
(We are free, we are free)
We have a better tomorrow
(We are free, we are free)
We can now say
(We are free, we are free)
Wave your hands if you know that you’re free
Always be yourself, not the one you pretend to be
I’m breaking new grounds, but they told me I was wrong
I longed to be myself, so I never could belong
And I’m out
You know what I’m about
Finally free, so I scream and I shout
But it’s my power of will, I finally feel
That we are free, just hope I’m bringing you along with me
We don’t have to follow
(We are free, we are free)
We are not held by sorrow
(We are free, we are free)
We have a better tomorrow
(We are free, we are free)
We can now say
(We are free, we are free)
We are free, we are free, yeah
[I’m breaking new grounds, but they told me I was wrong]
He is free, she is free, yeah
[I longed to be myself, so I never could belong]
They are free, I am free, yeah
[We are free, we are free, we are free, we are free]
We are free.