Posted on 07/03/2011 3:25:42 PM PDT by Biggirl
On this July 4th, American Independence Day, 2011, late Saturday night, I had come upon this YouTube recording of the Broadway presentation of the musical “1776″. The song, sung by actor Brent Spiner, who did the acting role of John Adams, one of the founding fathers and a member of the Second Continental Congress from Massachusetts, sings wondering if attending the Second Continental Congress was worth putting his life and ideas in danger. As the song progresses on, Mr. Adams realizes that it is all the more worth it when he thinks what the results will be and that an independent and free America will be the result.
“Is anybody there?
Does anybody care?
Does anybody see what I see?
They want to me to quit; they say
John, give up the fight
Still to England I say
Good night, forever, good night!
For I have crossed the Rubicon
Let the bridge be burned behind me
Come what may, come what may
Commitment!
The croakers all say we’ll rue the day
There’ll be hell to pay in fiery purgatory
Through all the gloom, through all the gloom
I see the rays of ravishing light and glory!
Is anybody there? Does anybody care?
Does anybody see what I see?
I see fireworks! I see the pageant and
Pomp and parade
I hear the bells ringing out
I hear the cannon’s roar
I see Americans – all Americans
Free forever more
How quiet, how quiet the chamber is
How silent, how silent the chamber is
Is anybody there? Does anybody care?
Does anybody see what I see?”
Today, on the eve to another July 4th, American Independence Day, July 4, 2011, during a time that there is a great deal of concern from many Americans about a United States that is in decline. IMHO, I look at a United States of America that is at a MAJOR CROSSROADS in its life and history. The United States and its citizens can make the CHOICE to resign themselves to a nation that is in decline and all the REALITIES that go with it, or STAND UP WITH COURAGE go forward and not turn back to make the effort to take the United States of America down on the right road to that of renewing itself as a nation. As proof, the growth and development during the last few years of the “tea party movement” is proof that there are Americans who like John Adams and the founding fathers of that Second Continental Congress who came together in Philadelphia to make its intentions known to the British King George III in the document that became the birth certificate of the United States, the Declaration of Independence.
Returning once again to John Adams, yesterday I had the opportunity to read an article that was posted over at the Free Republic about why there is no memorial to Mr. Adams. IMHO, there is a memorial to him, as there to the other members of the Second Continental Congress and it is that of the growing legions of those Americans who are making the decision to go down on the road towards a future American rebirth.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAmb9Funbz0&feature=related
Website for the lyrics:
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/1776originalcastrecording/isanybodythere.htm
William Daniels from the Motion Picture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2p7c3a2Jfg
Thank you for posting.
Twinkie’s here; such as she is.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !*!*!********
A wonderful July 4th to you too!
Your welcome! Happy July 4th to you too!
It was like you were conversing with Mr. Adams himself. Thank-you! Happy July 4th!
First Broadway show I ever saw circa 1968. John Cullum filling in for William Daniels as John Adams. Mr. Cullum is still working on Broadway after all these years. Wonderful, moving show.
One of the best musical presentations. Saw the movie when it first came out. The Broadway musical made a comeback in the last couple of years also.
Yes, I saw the revival about 8 years ago. Pat Hingle played Benjamin Franklin - a slightly weird choice. It was not as good as the original but it was good. That ending with the scrim! Gorgeous.
The role was originally played (brilliantly) by William Daniels.
http://www.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DM2p7c3a2Jfg&h=_AQB6nhOG
I love that musical, corny but fun. My favorite is The Egg.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1213z9KHNs&feature=related
The movie version, just before John Adams sings “Is Anybody There?”, another man reads a letter from General George Washington, who was starting to wonder if there is anyone in Philadephia that was willing to help him and his struggling army. The reader ends with the singing of the question: “Is Anybody There?”
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