After protesting the Vietnam War and participating in pushing cultural change in the 60’s, Patti Smith (known as the ‘punk poet laureate’) and her late husband Fred “Sonic” Smith collaborated in writing a song in 1988 to help bring about inspiration for different causes of that time. They were trying to build a modern day movement with the same importance of the 60’s. Their song was Patti’s lyrical work based on Fred’s basic idea…people have the power. It has the spirit of the 60’s, vibe of the late 80’s, but still stands today as a song which provides reassurance that any movement is in the hands of us all. “People Have The Power” is the lead single off of the album, Dream of Life.
“What we wanted to do was remind the listener of their individual power, but also of the collective power of the people, how we can do anything. We wrote it consciously together to inspire people, to inspire people to come together.”-Patti Smith
I have been participating in protests for Black Lives Matter throughout the city of Atlanta. I feel the energy and the wave of change cannot be bottled up and cast aside any longer. The world is listening. Change is occurring. Change is inevitable.
Now, the BLM marches are becoming more specific in their wants. The organizers realize the power they have to create a transformative revision of modern policing in our country. It is a momentous moment. There are several serious hurdles yet to jump, but we recognize the ability to change the conversation based on the large, diverse population participating, and the final removal of the aggressive military and police presences. The voices of the protesters are being heard. I feel the power, through a few painful blisters, some emotional exhaustion, and a few bittersweet tears. I will continue to support important black voices which lead this charge. Yes, people have the power.
Change is on its way.
Patti Smith-People Have The Power
“I was dreaming in my dreaming
Of an aspect bright and fair
And my sleeping it was broken
But my dream it lingered near
In the form of shining valleys
Where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
That the people have the power
To redeem the work of fools
Upon the meek the graces shower
It’ s decreed the people rule
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
Vengeful aspects became suspect
And bending low as if to hear
And the armies ceased advancing
Because the people had their ear
And the shepherds and the soldiers
Lay among the stars
Exchanging visions
And laying arms
To waste in the dust
In the form of shining valleys
Where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
Where there were deserts
I saw fountains
Like cream the waters rise
And we strolled there together
With none to laugh or criticize
And the leopard
And the lamb
Lay together truly bound
I was hoping in my hoping
To recall what I had found
I was dreaming in my dreaming
God knows a purer view
As I lay down into my sleeping
I commit my dream to you
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
The power to dream to rule
To wrestle the earth from fools
It’ s decreed that people rule
It’ s decreed that people rule
I believe everything we dream
Can come to pass through our union
We can turn the world around
We can turn the earth’ s revolution
We have the power
People have the power
People have the power
People have the power
The power to dream to rule
To wrestle the earth from fools
It’ s decreed that people rule
It’ s decreed that people rule
We have the power
We have the power
People have the power
We have the power”
