Sheila Franklin / I Believe In Love

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with an almost mythic introduction of "Sheila Franklin," an "NYU protester," immediately linking her to a cause. She's even hailed as "Joan of Arc!" Her urgent, repeated declaration, "I believe in love," sets a fervent, almost defiant tone. This isn't just a personal feeling; it's a rallying cry. The core tension emerges from Sheila's passionate, almost evangelical insistence on love as a collective imperative. She declares that "now is the time" for everyone to embrace this belief, framing it as an urgent call to action. This isn't a gentle suggestion but a demand for universal commitment, underscored by the collective "Whoo!" and subsequent trio echoes. A striking moment occurs when the plea to "come to the aid of" unexpectedly segues into snippets of "My country 'tis of thee." This abrupt shift initially suggests a patriotic duty, but the lyrics quickly pivot back, rephrasing the call to "come to the aid of love." This clever juxtaposition implies that "love" itself might be the "country" in need of aid, or that true patriotism is inherently tied to this broader belief. The power of these lyrics lies in their relentless, almost hypnotic repetition of the central phrase, building from a solo declaration to a communal chant. This collective affirmation, underscored by the urgent sense that the moment is "now," transforms a simple statement into a powerful, shared conviction. The lyrics effectively convey that believing in love is not passive, but an active, essential form of protest and civic engagement.