The Awakening
4hero Featuring Ursula Rucker Lyrics

Sister girl
Addressing a female friend or colleague with familiarity and respect

wanna tell you about this thing
Wishing to share thoughts and feelings about a particular topic

that's been weighing heavy on my heart
Feeling a deep emotional burden about a subject

haunts both my dreams and my first breath,
Affects even the subconscious mind and the beginning of each day

hmmm where to start, well..
Expressing uncertainty and hesitance about where to begin

Revolution it seems has become an antique,
Reflecting on the passing of time and the view that revolution is no longer relevant

when in my youth revolution was what we rose with the sun to seek we were fierce
Remembering a time when there was passion and determination for change

Now, our glory days are nothing but a page in an edge worn book
Acknowledging that the past is distant and fading, and perhaps flawed

an afro, a raised fist, a black beret, black pride set aside, reduced to mere history
Noting symbols and expressions of black power and solidarity that have lost significance over time

it saddens me mm it saddens me
Repeating the feeling of sadness and disappointment

but will these words fall on deaf ears cos my tears won't fill up the riverbed of resistance and change,
Wondering if any message of hope and struggle will be ignored, and recognizing that tears cannot change the world

it's gone dry and gone and unknown are the names which gave that river its tranquility, its beautiful force and godspeed
Drawing a metaphor of a river as a symbol of resistance and change, and acknowledging losses and forgotten heroes

rise up out of the complacency induced sleep we need, an Awakening.
Calling for a renewed awareness and action to confront oppression and injustice

bring, bring, bring the noise
Urging for making a loud and disruptive statement

daughter now is the time for you and your generation to put this universal chaos in order
Empowering the next generation to take on the challenge of creating a just world

Me and mine, we held high the picket signs met behind closed doors spoke out against war, spoke up for art and equality told people we are a community, a family
Recounting personal experiences of protesting and advocating for causes of peace, culture, and justice, and emphasizing a sense of collective identity

the years travel quick like speed of light and the torch light is burning low and my tears you know they wont fill the riverbed of resistance and change
Musing on the fleeting nature of life and the need to keep passing the struggle to the next generations, and recognizing that the past alone cannot sustain hope

they are just an offering for those who have been named with love and those who had died,
Viewing tears as a form of reverence and homage for those who have fought and sacrificed, and holding them in memory and gratitude

that they rest knowing that their lives were worth the fight that this planet and life are gifts to all not just a chosen few,
Believing in the value and purpose of all lives, and advocating for a more equitable and sustainable world

but now our future are up to you so what are you and your brothers and sisters gonna do?
Challenging and encouraging the upcoming generation to take responsibility for creating a better world

But Mama, the resistance seemed so futile when all the while, government and media massacre my dreams
Expressing frustration and disillusionment with the political and cultural institutions that seem to crush any hope for change

We, my brothers and sisters and me are at the mercy of, Dotcoms Bombs that kill at least 30 daily the constant downward spiral of music and humanity a general lack of concern, knowledge and history
Listing various forms of violence and oppression that continue to plague the society, and lamenting the lack of awareness and education among people

our potential leaders and spokespeople are chasing materialistic ideals seems our fates have been sealed with a Bling Bling kiss so Shall i just have the violins play for me as I recite this soliloquy of missed opportunity, a eulogy at the funeral for the modern day visionary or shall I rise as you call me will I fall or stand firmly? Mama advise me, guide me, I want to be made ready.
Commenting on the superficial and selfish motives of many influential figures, and questioning the purpose and fate of aspirations in such an environment, and seeking guidance and inspiration from the elder/sage figure

Baby girl, you sound ready to me the spirit, fire, of Assada, Angela, Ghandi, King and Garvey in your veins bleed for your legacy, keep the eyes on the prize of peace and don't pardon me while I preach because
Responding with encouragement and admiration for the younger speaker, and invoking the legacy of historical figures who fought for justice and freedom, and asserting the legitimacy of moral and ethical preaching

Even hurricane and tsunami have spoken earths peace as they rose, with wind and waves to say 'cease this increase of heartlessness and regress'
Drawing a metaphor of natural phenomena as voices of peace and warning, and pointing out the urgent need to recognize and respond to environmental and humanitarian crises

so please, please beg no apology as you speak for truth, move. into the Awakening bring, bring. bring the noise daughter its past time for you and your generation to put this universal chaos in order the now and future are up to you so what are you and your brothers and sisters gonna do?
Urging the younger speaker (and by extension, the audience) not to mince words or ask for forgiveness, but to speak out boldly and act on their beliefs, and finally repeating the call for action from the younger generation

Mama, i still question the meanings of freedom and peace but i will not retreat, i will instead meet this challenge head on and heart strong Sing. my protest songs take your hand and example and go well into the storm and struggle with torchlight ample and bright, to fight Awaken my spirit shaken but never stirred make my generations voice heard rewrite this thing bring the noise and the Awakening Sing.
Acknowledging the complexity and ambiguity of the ideals of freedom and peace but expressing determination to face the challenge with courage and passion, and vowing to follow the elder's examples of protest and resistance to make an impact in the world