Keep it Secret!!!

Keep it Safe, Keep it Secret!

So my message, “keep it safe, keep it secret” refers not only to the One Ring, but to any song, poem, joke or story they might want to tell, where the secret is to keep your stuff under wraps, away from public eyes, and that means a private meeting in zoom. so how can we express this method of maintaining some measure of personal freedom? it’s like resistance cells in wartime, working under the radar to preserve the integrity of expression and personal freedom.

The “keep it safe, keep it secret” idea from Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” is timeless and feels incredibly relevant now. It’s about finding ways to thrive in a world that’s increasingly suspicious, hostile, or just plain nasty and deadly.

Here’s how you could frame and express this method of maintaining personal freedom:

1. The Safe Haven Approach

Compare our password-protected private Zoom gatherings to sanctuaries—places where people can truly let their guard down and share without fear of judgment or reprisal.

I want to make the case for small, trusted circles as the modern-day campfires where stories are passed, ideas are shaped, and camaraderie grows. This concept could be shared poetically: “In the age of surveillance, our freedom burns brightest in quiet corners.”

2. Code Words and Symbols

Much like the One Ring metaphor, we can learn into evoke certain symbols, songs, paintings, poetry or storytelling, to convey this “resistance” mindset. Craft a song or story about a group of people hiding their most precious treasures—songs, poems, and truths—in a secret cave or tunnel, until the world is ready to treat them kindly. This would possibly resonate without being too direct, keeping some layer of mystery intact.

3. The Art of Secrecy as a Practice

Secret private personal meetings about criticizing the government or any other lawful reason can be construed by this government as a conscious act of rebellion.

Learning when to share and when to hold back is vital to your survival as a poet, songwriter, author, painter, sculptor, jeweler, scholar or whatever your chosen path.

Sharing in secrecy can be considered sacred, not because of shame, but because of their power. Treat your artistic outflow like a seed that needs careful nurturing in the dark, before it can bloom in the light, when the creeps have been somewhat beaten back — they never completely go away.

4. “Resistance Manual” Vibe

Create a guide for navigating this kind of subtle, creative resistance. Something like:

Gather in Small Numbers on Zoom: Trust is built slowly. Keep it intimate.
Encrypt Your Stories: Whether through metaphor, music, or coded language, make your messages layered so they reveal themselves only to the ready.
Preserve the Memory: Record but do not distribute your songs and poems on your hard-drive, to preserve them for future generations, even if they’re among the forbidden list right now.
Act Quietly but Boldly: Small ripples can create big waves when the time is right, but always remember that you are permanently banned in Boston.

5. The Community-as-Resistance Mindset

Position your Zoom gatherings as “creative cells,” where resistance is practiced through honest expression, shared safety, and mutual support. It’s not about secrecy for secrecy’s sake—it’s about building a space where freedom can grow organically, without the fear of public backlash or censorship.

You’re sharing songs on Zoom. Is that a crime? Not yet, but it will be.

6. ‘Whisper Networks’ of Creativity

Frame it as a creative whisper network—individuals passing along ideas, truth, and inspiration quietly, person to person, like the old underground movements. Encourage those involved to spread their work carefully and deliberately, ensuring its essence stays uncorrupted by public spectacle.

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We are already cultivating this fundamental “keep quiet” attitude in our gatherings. By expressing that fact openly through poetry, metaphors, or even a manifesto-style piece or a blog but only to trusted friends and allies, we might make this method of handling freedom of speech viable for folks who would otherwise have no voice whatever, and make it actually part of the message of each song — a tall order, but possible:

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(Verse 1)
In the shadows where the quiet grows,
A spark ignites, but the wind won’t know.
The words we carry, treasures untold,
They’re not for the world that’s grown so cold.

(Pre-Chorus)
We don’t need the noise to hear,
The truth is louder when it’s near.
So hold the flame, let it glow inside,
Where freedom lives and dreams can’t hide.

(Chorus)
Keep it safe, keep it secret,
In the dark, the light’s the deepest.
Not for the crowd, not for the street,
But for the hearts where the whispers meet.
Keep it safe, keep it secret,
That’s the way that freedom keeps it.

(Verse 2)
Behind the veil, in the quiet room,
The stories rise like a hidden bloom.
They won’t destroy what they can’t see,
The song’s alive where it’s meant to be.

(Pre-Chorus)
We build our towers brick by brick,
Out of reach of their politics.
No need to fight, no need to shout,
The secret ways will find their route.

(Bridge)
It’s a code, it’s a spark,
It’s a lantern in the dark.
A hidden hand, a knowing glance,
A silent tune, a secret dance.

(Outro)
So when the world feels heavy and loud,
And the truth gets lost in the shouting crowd,
We’ll sing it softly, we’ll guard it well,
In every heart, our secrets dwell.

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Lanterns in the Dark

(Verse 1)
In the quiet where the world won’t tread,
We light the flames they thought were dead.
No echoes here, just the softest sound,
A thousand lanterns underground.

(Pre-Chorus)
We’re the whispers that the wind won’t take,
A steady flame that the storm can’t break.
One by one, we’ll guard the spark,
We’re the lanterns in the dark.

(Chorus)
Lanterns in the dark, burning bright but hidden,
Guiding through the night, with truths forbidden.
No need to shout, no need to fight,
We’re building freedom out of sight.
Lanterns in the dark, shining bold and clear,
A silent promise: freedom’s near.

(Verse 2)
They cast their shadows, build their walls,
But light will find the cracks and halls.
We share the secret, hand to hand,
A quiet army across the land.

(Pre-Chorus)
The stars above, they see it too,
They shine for us, they guide us through.
This little flame, this hidden mark,
It’s our lantern in the dark.

(Bridge)
It’s not the noise that breaks the chains,
It’s the quiet light that still remains.
So light your lantern, hold it high,
And keep it safe beneath the sky.

(Outro)
In the dark, we’ll find our way,
A quiet dawn, a brighter day.
One by one, we’ll guard the spark,
We’re the lanterns in the dark.

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Then there’s the “perfectly safe song”:

Who’s Afraid of You-Know-Who?

(Chorus)
Who’s afraid of you-know-who?
Not me, not me (uh… maybe it’s true).
Who’s afraid of you-know-who?
Okay, fine, I’m terrified too!

(Verse 1)
Don’t say the name, don’t start the game,
You never know who’s listening.
Behind the door, across the floor,
You’ll hear those footsteps glistening.

(Pre-Chorus)
They’ve got the power, they’ve got the clout,
Say it too loud, and they’ll find you out.
So keep it quiet, under your breath,
Or you might just scare yourself to death!

(Chorus)
Who’s afraid of you-know-who?
Not me, not me (well, maybe a few).
Who’s afraid of you-know-who?
Let’s just hope they don’t hear this tune!

(Verse 2)
It’s a riddle, it’s a joke,
It’s the name you dare not poke.
Like Voldemort but with more flair,
They’re everywhere—they’re in your hair!

(Pre-Chorus)
They’re on the news, they’re in the sky,
They’re in your soup, they’re in your Wi-Fi!
So say it softly, say it sly,
Or just don’t say it—walk on by!

(Chorus)
Who’s afraid of you-know-who?
Not me, not me (wait, is that true?).
Who’s afraid of you-know-who?
Alright, fine, I’m trembling too!

(Bridge)
They’ve got the power, they’ve got the stare,
Say their name and you’re in despair.
But maybe they’re scared of us instead,
So let’s shout loud and mess with their head!

(Outro)
Who’s afraid of you-know-who?
Not me, not me (well, maybe a few).
Who’s afraid of you-know-who?
If we stick together, we’ll see it through!

(Final Whisper)
But seriously… don’t say the name.

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I’m modeling my invisible broadway theater musical after the audio-only musical like: “stan freberg modestly presents the united states of america” — it’s all songs, a little dialogue, no action whatever, something like “Hamilton” but with lower ratings.

Musical Concept Ideas:

The Underground Creators’ Resistance:
A group of misfit artists and thinkers forms a secret society to preserve their freedom of expression in a dystopian, overly censored world. Each song represents a moment in their journey—finding courage, navigating fear, and ultimately reclaiming their voices.
Lanterns in the Dark:
A more metaphorical approach where the characters are “lantern keepers,” each responsible for safeguarding their unique truth. The audience follows their struggles and triumphs as they resist an oppressive force (represented by “you-know-who”).
A Playful Parody:
Take the satirical route, with exaggerated caricatures and over-the-top humor. Songs like “Who’s Afraid of You-Know-Who?” become comedic showstoppers while still delivering a poignant message about fear, resistance, and freedom.
Intertwining Stories:
Multiple characters with interconnected lives, each grappling with the fear of speaking out or expressing themselves. Their stories eventually converge in a shared moment of liberation, culminating in a rousing finale.

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How to Tailor Your Invisible Musical:

Focus on Sharp Lyrics and Characters: Like Freberg, the lyrics need to carry both the story and the humor. Each song should introduce a vivid character, a pivotal moment, or an absurd twist. The songs become the dialogue, plot, and action all at once.
Sound Design as “Scenery”: Play with sound effects and subtle musical cues to set the stage. A creaky basement door, a faint typewriter clacking, muffled whispers—it’s all about layering atmosphere into the music.
Satirical Edge: If Freberg taught us anything, it’s that satire is timeless. Your underground poets can poke fun at censorship, fear, bureaucracy, or even themselves. It keeps the tone fun while delivering serious messages.
Narrator or Linking Songs: A narrator or recurring thematic tune could tie the whole thing together. Maybe a spoken word “leader” of the underground movement introduces or reflects on the songs, creating continuity.

Ideas for Expanding the Underground Poets’ Resistance Musical:

“Pass the Torch”: A song where an older poet is handing down the “sacred quill” to a new generation, full of humor about outdated poetic forms (“Forget iambic pentameter, kid, we’re free verse warriors now!”).
“The Metaphor is Mightier”: A cheeky number where the poets debate what’s more dangerous: metaphor, rhyme, or just plain bluntness.
“This Verse Will Get Us Killed”: A darkly funny, dramatic song where a poet nervously reveals a daring new poem that pushes the boundaries of their underground safety.
“Whisper Louder”: The rallying anthem where the poets inspire each other to amplify their voices, even if it’s just in small, secret ways.

Promo Direction:

This format lends itself perfectly to YouTube or podcasts. Promote it as “An Invisible Broadway Experience”—a musical meant for the mind’s stage. Pair audio teasers with striking, minimalist visuals like the song covers, to draw people in.

What do you think? Want to plan how the whole audio musical might flow if you were to compile a group of songs into an off-broadway theatrical score? This is such a unique and exciting project, I hope you get into it and enjoy it! 🎶🎭✨

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The Underground Poets’ Anthem

(Verse 1)
In the cracks between the towers tall,
Where the whispers echo, and shadows call,
We craft our words like blades of light,
Unseen, unheard, but ready to fight.

(Pre-Chorus)
No chains can bind what hearts create,
No walls can hold what words vibrate.
We write in silence, but we’re not alone,
Each verse a spark, each rhyme a stone.

(Chorus)
We are the underground, the poets’ flame,
Carving freedom in the dark, without a name.
Our words will rise, our truth will fly,
No force can silence the poet’s cry!

(Verse 2)
They fear the power of what we weave,
For every line’s a spell, believe.
In basements dim, by candle’s glow,
We light the fire they’ll never know.

(Pre-Chorus)
The ink is blood, the page our sword,
We speak for those who’ve lost their word.
Together we stand, unseen, unsung,
But the battle is ours, and we’ve just begun.

(Chorus)
We are the underground, the poets’ flame,
Carving freedom in the dark, without a name.
Our words will rise, our truth will fly,
No force can silence the poet’s cry!

(Bridge)
In secret circles, we take our stand,
A rebel’s pen in every hand.
With every stanza, with every beat,
We march with rhythm; we’ll never retreat!

(Final Chorus)
We are the underground, the poets’ light,
Writing freedom through the endless night.
Our words will rise, our truth will soar,
The underground poets forevermore!

(Outro)
So let them come, let the shadows fall,
The poet’s heart will outlast them all.
We are the underground, unseen and true,
And we will write the world anew.

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So I think we’ve got a really good solution to the problem of troublesome neighbors banging at the door. Simply make songs they don’t understand, and that don’t actually ever name the names — make it deliberately vague, and let them draw their own conclusions — in other words, trust your audience to get the point without having to plaster the name and face all over the place.

Here’s a song that nobody would be able to guess who it is I mean:

The Emperor’s New Tune

(Verse 1)
In a kingdom not so far away,
Lived a ruler proud and vain.
He craved a melody to play,
A tune to glorify his reign.

(Verse 2)
Two sly minstrels came to court,
With whispers soft and cunning.
“We’ve written you a work of art—
A song that’s simply stunning.”

(Pre-Chorus)
But the music, it could not be heard,
“Only the wise can know each word.”
And all who listened bowed and swayed,
Afraid to say, “It hasn’t played.”

(Chorus)
Sing the Emperor’s great new tune!
A masterpiece beneath the moon.
No melody, no rhyme, no score,
But we’ll pretend forevermore.

(Verse 3)
He took the stage to grand applause,
A golden crown upon his head.
The crowd stood silent, holding their breath,
No one dared to say what wasn’t said.

(Pre-Chorus)
As the music played in every mind,
A symphony of the undefined.
The Emperor smiled, his chest held high,
Blind to the laughter nearby.

(Chorus)
Sing, oh sing, the Emperor’s new tune!
A masterpiece beneath the moon.
No melody, no rhyme, no score,
But we’ll pretend forevermore.

(Bridge)
Then a child’s voice rang clear and free,
“But there’s no song! There’s no melody!”
The truth unraveled, the crowd grew loud,
And the Emperor stood, head unbowed.

(Final Chorus)
Sing, oh sing, the Emperor’s new tune!
A masterpiece that ended too soon.
No melody, no rhyme, no score,
Just echoes left of what came before.

(Outro)
And so the story fades away,
Of vanity and grand displays.
The tune of nothing still remains,
A silent anthem to empty reigns.