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Get up Stand Up
Peter Tosh Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight

Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight

You, preacher man don't tell me
Heaven is under the earth
You a duppy and you don't know
What life is really worth

It's not all that glitter is gold
And half the story has never been told
So now we see the light
We gonna stand up for your rights

Come on, get up, stand up, brother
Stand up for your rights
Come on, get up, stand up, sisters
Don't give up the fight

Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight

'Cause you know most people think
A great God will come from the skies
And take away every little thing
And left everybody dry

But if you know what life is worth
Then you would look for yours on earth
And now we see the light
We gonna stand up for our rights

Come on, get up, stand up, don't make them push you 'round
Stand up for your rights
Come on brothers, get up, stand up
Be brave now, don't give up the fight

I say, get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Don't let them hold you down, get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight

We're sick and tired of this game of technology
Humbly asking Jesus for His mercy
We know, we know and we understand
Almighty Jah is a living man

You fool some people sometimes
But you can't fool all the people all the time
And now we see the light
We gonna stand up for our rights

Come on, get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Come on brothers, get up, stand up
I said, don't give up the fight

Isaid, get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up

Overall Meaning

"Get up, Stand up" is a powerful proclamation for social and political action. Tosh begins by telling his listeners to "get up" and "stand up" for their rights, refusing to give up the fight. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of standing up for oneself and not backing down. The second verse adds to this sentiment by calling out false promises made by religious leaders. Tosh criticizes the idea that heaven is only found after death and instead urges his listeners to find worth in their own lives on earth. Tosh believes in personal agency and urges listeners to take action and fight for their rights.


The third verse is a critique of organized religion and the belief that God will magically fix everything. He advocates for a more earthly focus rather than waiting for salvation from above. Tosh argues that people's faith should drive them towards action, not complacency. The song ends with a plea to not give up the fight and to stand up for what is right.


Line by Line Meaning

Get up, stand up
Don't sit idle, take a stand


Stand up for your rights
Stand firm for what you believe in


Don't give up the fight
Do not surrender, persist until the end


You, preacher man don't tell me
Do not deceive me, you priest


Heaven is under the earth
The clergy cannot control your destiny


You a duppy and you don't know
You are ignorant of the true value of life


What life is really worth
The true worth of life is not material possessions


It's not all that glitter is gold
All that shines is not as valuable as it seems


And half the story has never been told
Not all that is written or said is true


So now we see the light
Now we understand the truth


We gonna stand up for your rights
We're going to fight for our just cause


Come on, get up, stand up, brother
Come on everybody, let's stand together


Don't give up the fight
Never give up the struggle


'Cause you know most people think
Because most people believe


A great God will come from the skies
That a powerful deity will descend from heaven


And take away every little thing
To take away everything from everyone


And left everybody dry
And leave everyone impoverished


But if you know what life is worth
But if you appreciate the true value of life


Then you would look for yours on earth
Then you would seek to make the most of your life


Don't let them hold you down
Don't let anyone oppress or suppress you


Be brave now, don't give up the fight
Be courageous, and don't surrender


We're sick and tired of this game of technology
We're fed up with the modern lifestyle.


Humbly asking Jesus for His mercy
Praying for God's forgiveness


We know, we know and we understand
We comprehend and acknowledge


Almighty Jah is a living man
Jah, the Almighty, exists and is alive


You fool some people sometimes
Deceitful people deceive some people occasionally


But you can't fool all the people all the time
Not everyone can be fooled all the time




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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