The song “Love Song to the Earth” is a music video as well as an initiative that was started in 2015. The song is performed by a collaboration of artists that were part of this initiative to protect the planet. These artists included Angelique Kidjo, Christina Grimmie, Colbie Caillat, Fergie, Johnny Rzeznik, Jon Bon Jovi, Kelsea Ballerini, etc.  And “The Song of the Earth” is a symphony composed by Gustav Mahler in 1907. It is a two-part performance, containing six songs about different seasons and elements of the Earth and nature.  

Even though these two pieces of music were released years apart, they have backgrounds that are sad, yet similar. The “Love Song to the Earth” was produced as part of the initiative to fight against climate change. The globe has been fighting the intensifying forces of climate change for many years, including more natural disasters, ocean warming, ect. In addition, the “Song of the Earth” also was made from a desperate need for hope. The composer was forced out of his position as Director of the Vienna Court Opera because of antisemitism, his daughter abruptly passed away, and he was diagnosed with a heart condition all within a few months.   

However, both these songs provide hope for a better future using nature as a driving force. The “Love Song to the Earth” brings people of all ages and backgrounds together to fight against climate change to protect the world we all live in. And the “Song of the Earth” elaborates in the lyrics of the beauty of the Earth, even if it has a sad undertone at times. These include “The sweet fragrance of flower has passed; A cold wind bows their stems low.”  

These songs directly related to what we have been learning throughout the semester in the German Environments course. They both describe the beauty of the Earth and the world we all live in. The “Love Song to the Earth” describes different aspects of climate change and climate protection. And the “Song of the Earth” describes the different beautiful aspects of nature, specifically in Germany, such as the “branches of green willows.” In class, we have learned about the different ways Germany is taking part in protecting our world. These include sustainable ways of obtaining food, new methods of energy, and protecting their forests as well as largely appreciating them. 

We can learn a lot from these songs that is different from just reading about protecting the environment. This includes that nature has the power to overcome and heal us in amazing ways and it is important that we fight to protect it. It can sometimes seem as if people are against sustainability and just want to do what is easiest and makes money but these song show differently. 

sources:

http://lovesongtotheearth.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Lied_von_der_Erde