Get Together – The Youngbloods

This poem is about love, unity, and the shortness of life. It says that love makes life beautiful, while fear destroys it. People are asked to smile at each other and live together like brothers and sisters. Life is compared to sunlight that quickly fades, reminding us that we don’t have much time. The poem tells us that we hold the choice between love and fear in our own hands, and we should choose love. Its main message is clear: we must come together and love one another right now.

Lyrics

Love is but a song we sing
Fear’s the way we die.
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry,
Though the bird is on the wing
And you may not know why.

Come on, people now
Smile on your brother,
Everybody get together,
Try to love one another right now.

Some may come and some may go.
We will surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last.
We are but a moment’s sunlight
Fading in the grass.
Come on, people now
Smile on your brother,
Everybody get together,
Try to love one another right now.
(Refrain)

If you hear the song I sing
You will understand, listen:
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand.
Just one key unlocks them both,
It’s there at your command.

Come on…
…right now.
(Refrain).

I said, come on, people now.
Smile on your brother.
Everybody get together.
Try to love one another right now.

Right now
Right now
Right now.

The Youngbloods

An American rock band consisting of Jesse Colin Young, Jerry Corbitt, Lowell ‘Banana’ Levinger, and Joe Bauer. The Youngbloods, the debut* studio album of the band, was released in 1967. It was reissued in 1971 under the title ‘Get Together’. The album peaked at number 131 on the ‘Billboard 200’ and two years later, it sold more than a million copies.

Let’s rewind and rejoice:

1. What are the emotions highlighted in the song?
   The song highlights emotions of love, unity, peace, joy, and fear. Love and togetherness bring happiness, while fear brings sadness and destruction.
2. What does the lyricist seek?
   The lyricist seeks brotherhood and harmony among people, asking everyone to come together and love one another.
3. “We are but a moment’s sunlight, fading in the grass.” What does this line mean?
   It means life is short and temporary, like sunlight that quickly disappears. So we must use our time to spread love.

Let’s Appreciate

1. Identify the nature of the imagery in “You can make the mountains ring or make the angels cry.”
   This imagery is contrasting and symbolic. “Mountains ring” shows joy and music, while “angels cry” shows sadness and pain.
2. What does the line, “Just one key unlocks them both” suggest about love and fear?
   It suggests that love and fear are choices in our hands. We have the power to decide whether to spread love or fear.
3. Why does the lyricist repeat the phrase “Right now” at the end of the song?
   The repetition creates urgency and emphasis. It tells us not to delay, but to choose love and unity immediately.

Extra Questions

1. What is the main theme of the poem?
   The poem is about love, unity, and peace.
2. What does the poet say about fear?
   Fear is shown as something that destroys life.
3. What does love do in the poem?
   Love makes life beautiful and joyful.
4. What is meant by “Smile on your brother”?
   It means be kind and friendly to others.
5. What does the poet ask people to do “right now”?
   To love one another immediately, without waiting.
6. What is life compared to in the poem?
   Life is compared to sunlight fading in the grass.
7. Why does the poet call life “a moment’s sunlight”?
   Because life is short and passes quickly.
8. What happens when people choose fear?
   Fear leads to sadness and destruction.
9. What happens when people choose love?
   Love brings happiness and unity.
10. What does the poet mean by “bird is on the wing”?
    It means life keeps moving forward, even if we don’t understand why.
11. What is the key that unlocks love and fear?
    The key is in our own hands, meaning our choices.
12. What does “make the mountains ring” mean?
    It means fill the world with joy and music.
13. What does “make the angels cry” mean?
    It means cause sadness by choosing fear or hate.
14. What is the refrain repeated in the poem?
    “Come on, people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now.”
15. Why is the refrain repeated many times?
    To stress the importance of love and unity.
16. What does the poet say about people coming and going?
    It means people live and die, but love should remain.
17. What is the poet’s message about death?
    Death is natural, but love can give meaning to life.
18. What does “you may not know why” suggest?
    It shows that life is mysterious and not always clear.
19. What is the poet’s final request?
    To love one another right now.
20. What is the overall message of the poem?
    Love is stronger than fear, and unity brings peace.

Poetic Devices

1. Metaphor:
   1. “Love is but a song we sing” → Love is compared to a song, showing its beauty and harmony.
   2. “We are but a moment’s sunlight fading in the grass” → Life is compared to sunlight, showing how short and fragile it is.
2. Imagery:
   1. “Make the mountains ring” → Creates a picture of joyful music echoing in nature.
   2. “Bird is on the wing” → Suggests freedom and movement.
3. Refrain:
   1. “Come on, people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now” → Repeated many times to stress unity and love.
4. Symbolism:
   1. “Key to love and fear” → The key symbolizes human choice and responsibility.
   2. “Angels cry” → Symbolizes sadness when people choose hate or fear.
5. Alliteration:
   1. “Moment’s sunlight” → Repetition of the ‘m’ sound.
   2. “Fading in the grass” → Soft repetition of sounds adds musical quality.
6. Contrast:
   1. Love vs. fear → The poem shows how love brings life, while fear brings death.
7. Personification:
   1. “Make the angels cry” → Angels are given human emotions to show the impact of human actions.
8. Repetition:
   1. Words like “Right now” are repeated to create urgency and rhythm.