An International Anthem
Below are the ten verses of an international anthem, entitled Under One Sky. Earth Anthem seeks to have the anthem performed throughout the world in all possible settings. Earth Anthem works to promote the guiding principles of a civil society, as outlined in the anthem, and to support those individuals and organizations working to forward these ideals.
Verse One: Born Free
Under one sky we live,
born free to find our way.
Born free, the child of earth
in peace and friendship comes.
Love is a choice we make.
Teach not the false dividing words.
We are the human family,
the stewards of our home.
Love is the choice we make.
Hear not the false reviling words.
We are the guardians of our race,
the human family.
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steward: one who responsibly manages and protects.
revile: abusively attack verbally.
It should be universally accepted that all humans are born with certain fundamental rights and freedoms, among these the right to choose their own path in life. It is important to recognize that children are born in a state of affinity with others, not in a state of enmity. Hatred and animosity are too often brought about through indoctrination. Instead, teach love, choose love.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly, states that the “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” Everyone has rights to which they are entitled for no other reason than their existence as human beings. No ideology may annul these rights.
Verse Two: Human Rights
Under one sky we live,
rights inalienable,
granted for every race,
for every gender, creed.
No ideology
may void the human rights of all.
These rights no one may grant to life,
these rights are life itself.
No ideology
may end the human rights we share.
We join our hands and stand as one,
for life and liberty.
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inalienable: unable to be taken away.
Verse Three: Freedom of Thought
Under one sky we live.
Let no one ever fear
to seek truth where he may,
to believe as she would.
Knowledge is our domain,
where all may travel unrestrained,
all free to search in life unbowed,
to know or not to know.
Knowledge is our domain,
where all may travel unrestrained,
all free to see or not to see,
sacrosanct this must be.
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domain: field of thought, sphere of responsibility
unbowed: not enslaved or under authoritative control
sacrosanct: must not be criticized, changed or violated.
A fundamental right of all is the right to search for truth in whatever manner one chooses to search. All are free to observe for themselves what can be known, and to determine for themselves what is true, by their own observations, considerations or beliefs. Raphael’s fresco, Causarum Cognitio (Knowledge of Causes), or The School of Athens, shows men and women involved in discussions and arguments concerning philosophy, science and mathematics. We see, among others, Hypatia of Alexandria, Egypt, the first well-known female mathematician and astronomer, Plato, holding Timaeus, his book on the nature of the physical world, and Aristotle, holding his Ethics.
All humans have a right to equal protection under a system of laws which is fair (blind), predictable and allows for recourse against injustice.
Verse Four: Justice for All
Under one sky we live,
equal before the law,
justice for each and all,
fair and predictable.
Equal protection shown
under impartial court of law,
may all be granted sure recourse
against injustice found.
Freedom and privacy,
ensured for every citizen,
may civil rights ever sustain
a safe and peaceful land.
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recourse: a turning to another for help
Verse Five: To Serve
Under one sky we live
May all who rule observe:
the people are your wealth,
reason your one true power.
Your rationale and goal
must be the greatest good for all.
Knowing to govern is to serve,
lead all to better lives.
This mandate we proclaim:
pursue the greatest good for all,
heed now the will of those you serve,
honor the trust we give.
mandate: authorization to act in a particular way, given by the
people to those who represent them.
rationale: set of reasons upon which a course of action is based.
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Those who govern must understand that to govern is to serve. Article 21 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “The will of the people shall be the basis of authority of government.”
All must take responsibility to restore and to conserve the natural resources of our home planet so that they will be available to all, now and in the future. We cannot afford to engage in expedient behavior which is convenient or profitable in the short term, but which leads to environmental damage and decay.
Verse Six: Our Children's Home
Under one sky we live,
upon one land and sea.
With every touch comes change,
for better or for worse.
End the expedient trade,
fouling the earth for wealth today,
Let us renew our island home,
and foster nature’s grace.
We now assume our role,
conservator, not parasite,
Let us preserve this legacy:
our children’s children’s home.
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expedient: convenient or advantageous, although immoral or improper.
foster: promote the growth or development of.
grace: elegance or beauty of form, manner or action.
Verse Seven: Sound Money
Under one sky we live,
our earnings well deserved
from honest labor’s fruit,
not in deceit derived.
Money – a simple aid,
fair for the many, not the few.
Restore it to its proper role
for all who labor here.
Sound money all deserve
that work may bring security.
Let us secure this civil right
for all who labor here.
deceit: concealment or distortion of truth for purpose of misleading or cheating
secure: bring into existence; cause to happen
sound: secure; free from defect; rational; wise
Money should be a simple aid to assist honest commerce among individuals. Money today is not sound or stable or fair. Its value is manipulated dishonestly. Sound, honest money is vital to the well-being of individuals and society. It is a civil right. It can and should be secured and protected.
The vast majority of earth’s inhabitants are men and women of good will. Their intention is to do right by themselves and others, even if they do not always succeed. Nevertheless, throughout history there have been persons of ill will. These seek control over others by weakening them, often through the use of deceitful methods, exaggerations, lies, withholding information and the clever manipulation of language and redefinition of words. They may be well-spoken, even charismatic. Their activities, always proclaimed to promote the "public good," leave a trail of misery and destruction. They seek to divide the world and turn groups against each other, arousing fears and stimulating herd behavior. They must not be allowed to prevail.
Verse Eight: To End Inhuman Ways
Under one sky we live,
where evil also dwells,
in rags or finest thread,
common to sovereign.
Control with lies and fear,
a seeming logic that ensnares,
these troubled few with dark appeal,
they may not wish to heal.
The calm or savage mind,
who wills dominion of our kind,
we meet with bright unflinching gaze
to end inhuman ways.
common: member of a non-ruling class
sovereign: head of a state
Verse Nine: Truth
Under one sky we live,
truth our goal, fact our guide.
So may we not be moved
by the well-spoken lie.
Opinion is not fact,
nor confirmation bias truth.
May animosity give way
to reasoned dialogue.
All are deserving truth,
that we may find and clearly see
our own responsibility
for self and for the world.
confirmation bias: The tendency (bias) to defend personal "rightness" by considering or forwarding only that data which supports (confirms) a pre-existing opinion, while ignoring, altering, downplaying, falsifying or failing to look for or examine any factual data which might disprove that opinion
One must never desist in the effort to know what is true. Without factual information, often hard to obtain, workable solutions are impossible. Confirmation bias, a plague upon humankind throughout history, has infected almost everyone at one time or another. The only cure is to search for relevant data and to evaluate it without bias. As Bertrand Russell observed, “When you are studying any matter, or considering any philosophy, ask yourself only what are the facts, and what is the truth that the facts bear out. Never let yourself be diverted either by what you wish to believe or by what you think could have beneficent social effects if it were believed. But look only and solely at what are the facts.” (Interview, BBC, 1959)
A kind and peaceful world is our common dream. Through hard work we may achieve it.
Verse Ten: A Better World
Under one sky we live,
each with our role to choose
to create what is good,
to make a better world.
Hope lies within our hearts,
and in our hands it may be said.
Let us work hard, then, to make whole,
our world and family.
Hope lies within our hearts,
and in our hands it must be said.
Let us work hard, then, to bring forth
a kind and peaceful world.