Truth-telling

To tell (you) the truth

Used to emphasize that you are being very honest

Longman Dictionary

Amanda Gorman’s Inaugural Poem ‘The Hill We Climb’

21 jan. 2021

Amanda Gorman recited her poem at President Biden’s inauguration ceremony outside the U.S. Capitol. The 22-year-old is the first National Youth Poet Laureate and the youngest poet to read at a presidential inauguration. Photo: Alyssa Schukar for The Wall Street Journal

ENGLISH SPEECH | Amanda Gorman: The Hill We Climb (English Subtitles)

6 feb. 2021

Learn English with Amanda Gorman. Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old Black poet from Los Angeles, recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” at Joe Biden’s inauguration as US president on Jan. 20. Her inaugural poem captured viewers across the country, and made her an overnight literary sensation. Amanda S. C. Gorman is an American poet and activist. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora. Gorman was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. She published the poetry book The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough in 2015. In this speech, she also quotes: “We will rebuild, reconciled and recover and every known nook over our nation. And every corner called our country. Our people diverse and beautiful will emerge, battered and beautiful. When day comes, we step out of the shade of flame and unafraid, the new dawn balloons, as we free it.” – Watch with big English subtitles.

‘The Hill We Climb’

When day comes we ask ourselves,
‘where can we find light in this never-ending shade,’
the loss we carry,
a sea we must wade?
We’ve braved the belly of the beast.
We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace,
and the norms and notions
of what just is
isn’t always just-ice.
And yet the dawn is ours
before we knew it,
somehow we do it.
Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed
a nation that isn’t broken
but simply unfinished.
We, the successors of a country and a time
where a skinny Black girl
descended from slaves and raised by a single mother
can dream of becoming president
only to find herself reciting for one.
And yes, we are far from polished,
far from pristine,
but that doesn’t mean we are
striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge a union with purpose,
to compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and
conditions of man.
And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us
but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know, to put our future first,
we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms
so we can reach out our arms
to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew;
that even as we hurt, we hoped;
that even as we tired, we tried;
that we’ll forever be tied together, victorious,
not because we will never again know defeat
but because we will never again sow division.
Scripture tells us to envision
that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
and no one shall make them afraid.
If we’re to live up to our own time
then victory won’t lie in the blade
but in all the bridges we’ve made.
That is the promise to glade,
the hill we climb
if only we dare it,
because being American is more than a pride we inherit —
it’s the past we step into
and how we repair it.
We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation
rather than share it
would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed,
it can never be permanently defeated.
In this truth,
in this faith we trust,
for while we have our eyes on the future,
history has its eyes on us.
This is the era of just redemption
we feared at its inception.
We did not feel prepared to be the heirs
of such a terrifying hour
but within it we found the power
to author a new chapter,
to offer hope and laughter to ourselves.
So while once we asked,
‘how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe,’
now we assert,
‘how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?’
We will not march back to what was
but move to what shall be:
a country that is bruised but whole,
benevolent but bold,
fierce, and free.
We will not be turned around
or interrupted by intimidation
because we know our inaction and inertia
will be the inheritance of the next generation.
Our blunders become their burdens.
But one thing is certain:
If we merge mercy with might,
and might with right,
then love becomes our legacy
and change our children’s birthright.
So let us leave behind a country
better than the one we were left with.
Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest,
we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.
We will rise from the gold-limned hills of the west,
we will rise from the windswept northeast
where our forefathers first realized revolution,
we will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states,
we will rise from the sunbaked south.
We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover
in every known nook of our nation and
every corner called our country,
our people diverse and beautiful will emerge,
battered and beautiful.
When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it,
if only we’re brave enough to be it.

Harvard alumna Amanda Gorman delivered a soaring inaugural poem.
Her piece, titled “The Hill We Climb”, called for unity and justice,
through both reckoning with the nation’s past and looking toward its future.

On a day for the history books, Amanda Gorman, delivered a poem that more than met the moment. Young people like her are proof that “there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it; if only we’re brave enough to be it.”

Barack Obama

The Hill We Climb

De heuvel die we beklimmen

When day comes we ask ourselves,
where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry,
a sea we must wade
We’ve braved the belly of the beast
We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace
And the norms and notions
of what just is
Isn’t always just-ice
And yet the dawn is ours
before we knew it
Somehow we do it
Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed
a nation that isn’t broken
but simply unfinished
We the successors of a country and a time
Where a skinny Black girl
descended from slaves and raised by a single mother
can dream of becoming president
only to find herself reciting for one

 

Als de dag komt dat we onszelf afvragen
waar vinden we licht in deze eindeloze schaduw?
Het verlies dat we dragen,
een zee die we moeten doorwaden
We hebben de buik van het beest getrotseerd
We leerden dat rust niet altijd vrede is
En de normen en noties
van wat is
Niet altijd juist is
En toch is de dageraad aan ons
voor we het wisten
Toch doen we het
Toch hebben we verduurd en gezien
een natie die niet gebroken is
maar eenvoudig onaf
Wij de nakomelingen van een land en een tijd
Waar een mager Zwart meisje
afkomstig van slaven en grootgebracht door een alleenstaande moeder
ervan kan dromen president te worden
alleen om zich er voor één voordragend te vinden

 

And yes we are far from polished
far from pristine
but that doesn’t mean we are
striving to form a union that is perfect
We are striving to forge a union with purpose
To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters
and conditions of man
And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us
but what stands before us
We close the divide because we know, to put our future first,
we must first put our differences aside
We lay down our arms
so we can reach out our arms
to one another
We seek harm to none and harmony for all
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious
Not because we will never again know defeat
but because we will never again sow division

 

En ja we zijn ver van opgeknapt
ver van oorspronkelijk
maar dat wil niet zeggen dat we
ernaar streven een unie te vormen die perfect is
We streven naar het smeden van een unie met zin
Een land samen te stellen verbonden aan alle culturen, kleuren, kenmerken
en
menselijke hoedanigheden
En dus heffen we onze blikken niet naar wat ons verdeelt
maar naar wat ons te wachten staat
We sluiten de verdeeldheid omdat we weten, dat om onze toekomst voorop te plaatsen,
we eerst onze geschillen terzijde moeten zetten
We leggen onze wapens neer
zodat we onze armen kunnen uitstrekken
naar elkaar
We zoeken nadeel voor niemand en harmonie voor iedereen
Laat de wereld, als niets anders, zeggen dat dit waar is:
Zelfs als we griefden, we groeiden
Zelfs als we leden, we hoopten
Zelfs als we vermoeiden, we poogden
Dat we altijd verbonden zullen zijn, zegevierend
Niet omdat nooit meer een nederlaag zullen kennen
maar omdat we nooit meer verdeeldheid zullen tonen

 

Scripture tells us to envision
that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
And no one shall make them afraid
If we’re to live up to our own time
Then victory won’t lie in the blade
But in all the bridges we’ve made
That is the promised glade
The hill we climb
If only we dare
It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit,
it’s the past we step into
and how we repair it
We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation
rather than share it
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy
And this effort very nearly succeeded

 

De Schrift zegt ons onder ogen te zien
dat ieder onder zijn wijnstok en vijgenboom zal zitten
En niemand zal hen beangstigen
Als we leven naar onze tijd
Ligt de overwinning niet in het zwaard
Maar in de bruggen die we bouwden
Dat is de beloofde luwte
De heuvel die we bestijgen
Als we alleen maar durven
Omdat Amerikaan zijn meer is dan een fierheid die we erven,
het is het verleden waar we instappen
en hoe we het herstellen
We zagen een kracht die onze natie zou versplinteren
eerder dan ze te delen
Ons land zou vernielen als dit betekende democratie op te schorten
En deze poging was bijna geslaagd

 

But while democracy can be periodically delayed
it can never be permanently defeated
In this truth
in this faith we trust
For while we have our eyes on the future
history has its eyes on us
This is the era of just redemption
We feared at its inception
We did not feel prepared to be the heirs
of such a terrifying hour
but within it we found the power
to author a new chapter
To offer hope and laughter to ourselves
So while once we asked,
how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?
Now we assert
How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

 

Maar terwijl democratie tijdelijk kan worden uitgesteld
kan ze nooit blijvend verworpen worden
In deze waarheid
in deze overtuiging geloven we
Heden richten we onze blik op de toekomst
de geschiedenis kijkt naar ons
Dit is de tijd van terechte verlossing
We vreesden zijn begin
We voelden ons niet voorbereid de erfgenamen te zijn
van zo’n verschrikkelijk uur
maar we vonden er de kracht in
een nieuw hoofdstuk te schrijven
Om onszelf hoop en vreugde te bieden
Dus eens terwijl we vroegen
hoe kunnen we ooit de catastrofe overwinnen?
Stellen we nu
Hoe zou de catastrofe ooit ons kunnen overwinnen?

 

We will not march back to what was
but move to what shall be
A country that is bruised but whole,
benevolent but bold,
fierce and free
We will not be turned around
or interrupted by intimidation
because we know our inaction and inertia
will be the inheritance of the next generation
Our blunders become their burdens
But one thing is certain:
If we merge mercy with might,
and might with right,
then love becomes our legacy
and change our children’s birthright

 

We zullen niet terugkeren naar wat was
maar gaan naar wat zal zijn
Een land dat gekneusd is maar heel
welwillend maar koen
onstuimig en vrij
We zullen niet versagen
of onderbroken worden door intimidatie
omdat we weten dat onze inactiviteit en inertie
de erfenis wordt van de volgende generatie
Onze blunders worden hun lasten
Maar één ding is zeker:
Als we weldaad mengen met macht,
en macht met recht,
dan wordt liefde onze nalatenschap
en verandering onze kinderen hun geboorterecht

 

So let us leave behind a country
better than the one we were left with
Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest,
we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one
We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the west,
we will rise from the windswept northeast
where our forefathers first realized revolution
We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states,
we will rise from the sunbaked south
We will rebuild, reconcile and recover
In every known nook of our nation and
every corner called our country,
our people diverse and beautiful will emerge,
battered and beautiful

 

Dus laat ons een land nalaten
beter dan hetgeen ons gelaten werd
Elke adem van mijn bronsbeslagen borst,
zullen we deze gewonde wereld tot een verwonderlijke maken
We zullen rijzen van de goud-glooiende heuvels van het westen,
we zullen rijzen van het windvlagerige noordoosten,
waar onze voorvaderen eerst de revolutie waarmaakten,
We zullen rijzen uit de meren omrande steden van de midden-westelijke staten,
we zullen rijzen van het zon-geblakerde zuiden
We zullen herbouwen, verzoenen en herwinnen
en elke gekende uithoek van onze natie en
elk plekje ons land genoemd,
onze mensen divers en mooi zullen te voorschijn komen,
gehavend en mooi

 

When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it

 

Als de dag komt dat we uit de schaduw treden,
vurig en onbevreesd
De nieuwe dageraad gloort als we hem bevrijden
Want er is altijd licht,
als we enkel de moed hebben het te zien
Als we enkel de moed hebben het te zijn

 

Scripture tells us to envision
that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
and no one shall make them afraid.

These lines out of the poem refers to Isaiah 2:1-4

The Mountain of the House of the LORD

(Isaiah 2:1-4)

1 In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD

will be established as the chief of the mountains;

it will be raised above the hills,

and the peoples will stream to it.

2 And many nations will come and say:

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,

to the house of the God of Jacob.

He will teach us His ways,

so that we may walk in His paths.”

For the law will go forth from Zion

and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

3 Then He will judge between many peoples

and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide.

Then they will beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation,

nor will they train anymore for war.

4 And each man will sit under his own vine

and under his own fig tree,

with no one to frighten him.

For the mouth of the LORD of Hosts has spoken.

5 Though each of the peoples

may walk in the name of his god,

yet we will walk in the name of the LORD our God

forever and ever.

A moment A Tribute to Migration

2 Making Mountains As We Run | Amanda Gorman ’20 | Harvard Inauguration of Lawrence S. Bacow

5 okt. 2018

Amanda S. C. Gorman ’20, Inaugural United States Youth Poet Laureate, presents an original poem at the Inauguration of Lawrence S. Bacow, 29th President of Harvard University on October 5, 2018 at Tercentenary Theatre.
 
For more information, visit: http://hvd.gs/254572/

3 Using your voice is a political choice | Amanda Gorman
16 apr. 2019

For anyone who believes poetry is stuffy or elitist, National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman has some characteristically well-chosen words. According to Amanda, poetry is for everyone, because at its core it’s all about connection and collaboration. In this fierce Talk, Amanda explains why poetry is inherently political (in the best way!), she pays homage to her honorary ancestors, and she stresses the value of speaking out despite your fears. “Poetry has never been the language of barriers, it’s always been the language of bridges.”

4 Barack Obama’s historic 2009 inaugural address

 

20 jan. 2021

 
Watch Barack Obama’s first inaugural address on January 20, 2009, after being sworn in as the first Black president in US history.

5 ‘I feel more confident about most things I do’ – 13-year-old on bonding with Joe Biden over stutter

21 jan. 2021

 
Brayden Harrington, the 13-year-old who bonded with President-elect Joe Biden over their shared experience with stuttering, tells CNN’s Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon about speaking at the inauguration.

6 President Obama Addresses the UN General Assembly

25 sep. 2009

In his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Obama covers a range of topics—all under the umbrella of his desire for leaders to recognize the “common future” of a world in which “the interests of peoples and nations are shared.” September 23, 2009. (public domain)

7 Teen Who Overcame Stutter Speaks at Inaugural Ball

21 jan. 2021

Brayden Harrington, the boy who bonded with Pres. Biden over their shared experiences with speech impediments, recited JFK’s words at the virtual Inaugural Ball.

8 Speech Coach Reacts To Amanda Gorman (The Hill We Climb)

22 jan. 2021

Amanda Gorman, the youngest known inaugural poet in U.S. history, recites her poem “The Hill We Climb.” In this video, learn what Amanda was doing that made her the talk of the nation.
 
Watch Amanda’s delivery here: https://youtu.be/Jp9pyMqnBzk
 
Amanda Gorman:
🎤 Overcame a speech impediment
🎤 Raised by a single mom
🎤 Graduated from Harvard
🎤 At 22, is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. History
 
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.’ -Amanda Gorman 2021
→ tell
Examples from the Corpus

to tell (you) the truth

I’m not sure how he did it, to tell you the truth.
You want us to tell the truth?
A bit like Mrs Riley, to tell the truth.
Did people not trust me to tell the truth?
He bathed a lot and never smelled even alive, to tell the truth.
I don’t know a great deal about flowers, to tell the truth.
They must learn how to tell the truth and listen.
But to tell the truth, for a long time I’ve been slightly lost as a dealer.
To tell you the truth, I can’t stand Sandy’s cooking.
We had a pretty good time I suppose, but to tell the truth I didn’t feel like a party much.

To tell (you) the truth

Spoken used when giving your personal opinion or admitting something

Longman Dictionary
→ tell
Examples from the Corpus

to tell (you) the truth

I’m not sure how he did it, to tell you the truth.
You want us to tell the truth?
A bit like Mrs Riley, to tell the truth.
Did people not trust me to tell the truth?
He bathed a lot and never smelled even alive, to tell the truth.
I don’t know a great deal about flowers, to tell the truth.
They must learn how to tell the truth and listen.
But to tell the truth, for a long time I’ve been slightly lost as a dealer.
To tell you the truth, I can’t stand Sandy’s cooking.
We had a pretty good time I suppose, but to tell the truth I didn’t feel like a party much.

To tell (you) the truth

Spoken used when giving your personal opinion or admitting something

Longman Dictionary
→ truth
Examples from the Corpus

To tell (you) the truth

He bathed a lot and never smelled even alive, to tell the truth.
We had a pretty good time I suppose, but to tell the truth I didn’t feel like a party much.
But to tell the truth, for a long time I’ve been slightly lost as a dealer.
I don’t know a great deal about flowers, to tell the truth.
They must learn how to tell the truth and listen.
Did people not trust me to tell the truth?
A bit like Mrs Riley, to tell the truth.
You want us to tell the truth?

9 Car Runs On Corn Prank

21 jan. 2012

Screw ethanol, crazy inventor created a car that runs directly on corn – and spits popcorn out of the back. There’s only one problem, in order to start, it needs a few gullible people to push it. Also, the corn feeding device vaguely looks like DeLorean mod that makes it run on garbage in Back To The Future.
 
A presentation of the Just For Laughs Gags. The funny hidden camera pranks show for the whole family. Juste pour rire les gags, l’émission de caméra cachée la plus comique de la télé!