Song of a Lifetime Research Paper: Do you Hear the People Sing?

Mary Willa Foy

Mrs. Honaker

Dual English 12

9 May 2017

Song of a Lifetime Research Paper: Do you Hear the People Sing?

Imagine a world of chaos- on the brink of revolution citizens survive in extreme poverty, children roam the streets and household income determines not only quality of life and education but also access to emergency medical aid. This world may seem like a thing of the past but for many people this situation is far too real. Economic inequality and humanitarian emergencies are a growing concern for the global community and have left their mark upon art, music, and literature for centuries. One example of this societal reflection is in Michel Schönberg’s “Do you hear the people sing?” This song acts as a voice for the people during the French Revolution, representing the majority living in poverty, and distinguishing themselves from authority who they view as a tyranny.

Syrian Humanitarian Crisis

The song goes on to express the majorities’ grievances with the condition of their country and use the song to gain political support against the monarchy “Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?” (“Do you hear the people sing?”).  Today, many countries with a week government still suffer from these problems faced centuries ago. For instance Syria’s civil war has created what experts are calling “the world's largest humanitarian crisis since World War II” (“Syria crisis”). The exact number of refugees effected is unknown but it is estimated to be well into the millions. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 4.8 million civilians have fled to neighboring countries including Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, while 6.6 million are internally displaced within Syria. (“What you need to know about the Syria crisis”). In addition about one million have requested refuge to much of central and Eastern Europe. The European Union’s top applicant receiving countries include Germany, with more than 300,000 applications, and Sweden with 100,000 (“Syrian refugee crisis & repercussions for the EU”). The long term magnitude of integrating Syrian refugees is a pressing domestic issue for host countries and the European Union. Estimated figures are uncertain and depend on many outside factors including: how many more refugees arrive, how quickly applications are processed and how soon they find jobs. Although, the International Monetary Fund estimates as of 2016 refugees will add around 0.19% of GDP to public spending in the European Union and 0.35% in Germany (“For good or ill”). Syrian citizen's willingness to fight for a politically free country embodies the ideals of French revolutionaries over two centuries before them. Schönberg’s “Do you hear the people sing?” is a reminder that the humanitarian crisis will not have quick or cheap resolution and the Syrian Civil War has drastically changed a generation of citizens just as the French Revolution did a continent away.

Economic Inequality 

In addition to the refugee crisis, the song also mirrors the economic inequality found in today’s society. “Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men? It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!” (“Do you hear the people sing?”). In this line Schönberg uses diction of the word slave to signify the finical debt of citizens and how a majority feel they have become slaves to their government. This stress is felt in modern day as well- with a growing income gap between the rich and poor it is becoming increasingly more difficult to achieve a higher education and have proper access to medical treatment. Many students in the United States grow up without the necessary skills to strive in the twenty-first century. For example in 1970, 40% of US students whose families were in the top income range had achieved a degree by 24 and by 2013 the percentage had risen to 77%. In contrast, for families in the bottom income bracket only 6% achieved a degree and by 2013 that amount lowered to 9% (“higher education and growing inequality”). As a result, an uneducated public creates a less intelligent country with less to contribute on a global scale. Poor performance among the disadvantaged create long-term problems- especially in an economy where higher skill levels are valued and the opportunities to less-skilled workers are fading. Another stress factor that contributes to the household income gap is the access to healthcare. For example, the 33 million people the census bureau claim to not have health care in 2014 resulting in approximately 33,000 deaths because they could not get access to appropriate care. For every 1 million people who are uninsured, there are about 1,000 deaths linked to that factor (“More Americans gain health coverage, but many can’t afford to use it: doctors group). The economic inequality between the rich and poor causes a majority of citizens to feel in debt to their government- a factor that connects “Do you hear the people sing?” and reflects it into today’s time.

The humanitarian emergencies and economic inequality expressed in Michel Schönberg’s “Do you hear the people sing?” is not only an issue of the past but is representative of modern day society. His powerful lyrics can connect people over time as they learn and understand from each other due to their economic and humanitarian similarities. “Do you hear the people sing?” acts as a song for all oppressed people- regardless of time period and location. The longing to live and fight for their own sake and not as a slave in debt for another’s is the unifying factor that makes “Do you hear the people sing?” emblematic of our times.

Work Cited

"About this Website." Syrian Refugees. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.

"Factsheets - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations - European Commission." European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.

"For good or ill." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 23 Jan. 2016. Web. 12 May 2017.

"More Americans gain health coverage, but many can't afford to use it: doctors group." More Americans gain health coverage, but many can't afford to use it: doctors group | Physicians for a National Health Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.

"Quick facts: What you need to know about the Syria crisis." Mercy Corps. N.p., 07 Apr. 2017. Web. 12 May 2017.

"Russel Sage Foundation." Social Inequality and Educational Disadvantage | RSF. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.

By: Simon Marginson  |  From the January 2016 Issue. "Higher education and growing inequality." Academic Matters. N.p., 07 Dec. 2016. Web. 12 May 2017.