Bruce Springsteen wrote “The Rising” in response to 9/11. Like many of his songs, its beauty lies in the ears of the beholder, its intent subject to interpretation.
While “The Rising” is clearly about 9/11, it’s also about so much more. Released in 2002, it’s timeless in the intense feelings it conveys. Yet it’s also rooted in each of the tense times and turning points it’s addressed in the years since then.
As we arise from the nightmare of the last four years, this is one of those times.
I see the song as partly about the courage and sacrifice of the firefighters and other heroes who trudged up the endless World Trade Center stairs to try to rescue those trapped there, only to tragically meet their fate. (Bruce may see it differently. He’s entitled to his opinion.) The opening lines reflect that:
Can’t see nothing in front of me
Can’t see nothing coming up behind
I make my way through this darkness
I can’t feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I’ve gone
How far I’ve gone, how high I’ve climbed
But that’s not all. They’re also climbing up to something better, and it’s right here on earth. The rousing refrain reflects a universal message of hope, unity, joining together:
Come on up for the rising
Come on up lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
“The Rising” has become something of a Democratic anthem. Springsteen performed it at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, backed by a huge gospel choir, and fittingly in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
What a time of hope that was.
But today is also a time of hope. One might not call it a moment of unrestrained joy, what with Covid in the air, one of the worst days in the country’s history just two weeks behind us and many worried about whether today will see more mayhem.
Nevertheless, it’s the day we’ve been waiting for, ever since the catastrophe otherwise known as Election Day 2016. It ushers into office a decent man who brings along the right experience, savvy and associates to clean up an unprecedented multifaceted mess. In addition to finally having someone competent and caring to handle Covid and the economy, we have a chance to move forward on racial justice, immigration, climate change and a host of other challenges.
Starting today, the news is no longer just about one pathetic whiner demanding attention. And as President Biden – it feels great to write that! – would be the first to admit, it’s not mainly about him, even though his inauguration is undoubtedly the main act.
Rather, it’s about how far we’ve gone, how high we can now climb. And it’s about the faces, the heroes, the spirit, the revival captured in the inspiring “The Rising” video presented at last year’s Democratic Convention. If you haven’t done so already (or even if you have), check it out:
Come on up.
Makes me cry with joy and hope. Thx buddy
My pleasure.
Thanks, Steve, for your hopeful spirit! Best to all.
Thank you for sharing this today. It perfectly reflects the hope we share today! So many relieved and proud tears this week! ❤️
Thanks, Jenny and Kathy. I shed some tears myself today.
I appreciate this blog as an opportunity to share thoughts in a civilized, honest exchange. Social media has become toxic in many ways. This is a safe space.
Thanks!
It’s a new day.
The fog is thinning.
The air is smelling so fresh now.
I can breathe!
I will sleep well tonight.
Very well put, Marnix. In fact, I’m quoting this in my subsequent post (Free at Last), though if you object and want me to delete the quote, please let me know and I’ll be glad to to so.
Thank you! Glad to share my feelings. No objections at all.
Steve,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on yesterday’s historic transformation of a beaten nation. I am glad to hear that you were as moved as I was. I had friends texting me all day and night saying they were in tears — so many, in fact, that I felt guilty because I was only misty-eyed. January 20th indeed gave meaning to the words hope and joy, and the Inaugural festivities were absolutely perfect.
The Rising is one of my favorite Springsteen songs and albums. For the last few weeks, I have been signing off emails with the rather dramatic words, ‘We Rise.’ Maybe Bruce was in my head all along when I wrote those words.
Returning to yesterday and last night. It’s as if we have been held hostage for four years and were, because of the circumstances, compelled to suppress anything that approximated joy. And hope? Nothing but shreds and shards under Donald Trump. So, we have collectively been freed from the trauma, the chaos, the constant noise and din, the impossible cruelty that is Donald Trump.
This brief (it felt like 100 years) dalliance with a demagogue, a leader with strong totalitarian impulses, has given me pause. How would we have gone on if he had been re-elected? Equally awful to contemplate is what we will do if he is not prevented from running a second time.
May his like never rise again in America.
Kel
Thanks, Kelly.
“We Rise.” Love it.
It’s scary how close we came to another Trump term. If something like 22,000 votes in three states had gone for Trump instead of Biden, that’s what we’d be looking at. It’s up to us to try to stop him or someone like him from ever occupying the White House.
I’m cautiously confident that between a possible impeachment conviction and the more doable Plan B of the 14th Amendment’s Section 3, he’ll be barred from running again. I guess we’ll find out over the coming weeks.