RISE
Daryl Braithwaite Lyrics
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While the fast one amongst them brings home food for those too slow
For too many years they have lived on these streets
And their freedom just a memory as the darkness repeats
But somehow everything is turning upside down
BRIDGE
And they've been sleeping in the subway
CHORUS
And eventually they rise, yes they rise
And they rise in their own way (Repeat)
Their daughter ran away today
Didn't have a lot to say
They wondered why
She comes in twice a week to wash her clothes and watch her mother cry
There's too many eyes watching her fmaily home
Now the seeds of revolution inside her are sown
And somehow everything is turning upside down
BRIDGE, CHORUS
Her only daughter left her many years ago
And still she don't know why
She said "Don't you worry mother, you will never see me cry"
Yes they rise in their own way(Repeat)
And they rise in their own way(Repeat)
(Repeat)
The lyrics of Daryl Braithwaite's song "Rise" tell a story of a group of people who live on the streets and are struggling to survive. The first verse describes how they gather together in a tenement building at night, with some members of the group having the responsibility of bringing home food for those who aren't able to do so themselves. The verse also mentions how they've lived on the streets for too many years and how their freedom is just a memory. Despite this, the chorus provides a glimmer of hope as it asserts that eventually they rise, and they do so in their own way. The second verse introduces a subplot in which a daughter of one of the members of the group has run away from home. The family is struggling to come to terms with her departure, and the mother cries often. However, the daughter has left behind the seeds of revolution within her, which suggests the possibility of positive change.
The lyrics are poignant in their depiction of characters who have been marginalized and are struggling to survive. The imagery of them gathering in the tenement building, sleeping in the subway, and the daughter running away all evoke a sense of despair and hopelessness. However, the chorus provides a message of hope and resilience, suggesting that despite their struggles, they will eventually rise in their own way. The lyrics also touch on themes of family, loss, and bravery, highlighting how characters are able to draw strength from each other and from within.
Line by Line Meaning
Friends, foes and firewood are gathering in the tenements tonight
People from all walks of life and situations are coming together in the housing complexes tonight.
While the fast one amongst them brings home food for those too slow
The quickest among them is providing food for those who can't keep up.
For too many years they have lived on these streets
These individuals have been living on the streets for an extended amount of time.
And their freedom just a memory as the darkness repeats
Their sense of freedom has been lost and they feel stuck repeating the same cycle.
But somehow everything is turning upside down
Despite this, things are starting to change in unexpected ways.
And they've been sleeping in the subway
They have been taking shelter in the subway.
The only place they call their own
It's the only place they feel in control of.
And eventually they rise, yes they rise
Eventually, they will improve their situation.
And they rise in their own way
They will do this on their own terms.
Their daughter ran away today
Their daughter left home today.
Didn't have a lot to say
She didn't leave much of a message before she left.
They wondered why
They are left wondering why she left.
She comes in twice a week to wash her clothes and watch her mother cry
Their daughter only returns a couple times a week to do laundry and see her mother's sadness.
There's too many eyes watching her family home
There are too many people keeping an eye on their home.
Now the seeds of revolution inside her are sown
The daughter is feeling motivated to bring about change.
And somehow everything is turning upside down
Again, things are shifting in unexpected ways.
Her only daughter left her many years ago
Their daughter left home a long time ago.
And still she don't know why
The mother still doesn't understand why she left.
She said "Don't you worry mother, you will never see me cry"
Her daughter reassured her that she wouldn't see her cry.
Yes they rise in their own way
Once again, they will rise and improve their situation.
And they rise in their own way
They will do this in their own unique way.
(Repeat)
This is repeated throughout the song to emphasize their resilience.
Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Ggdivhjkjl
Friends, foes and firewood are gathering in the tenements tonight
While the fast one amongst them brings home food for those too slow
For too many years they have lived on these streets
And their freedom just a memory as the darkness repeats
But somehow everything is turning upside down
BRIDGE
And they've been sleeping in the subway
The only place they call their own
CHORUS
And eventually they rise, yes they rise
And they rise in their own way (Repeat)
Their daughter ran away today
Didn't have a lot to say
They wondered why
She comes in twice a week to wash her clothes and watch her mother cry
There's too many eyes watching her family home
Now the seeds of revolution inside her are sown
And somehow everything is turning upside down
BRIDGE, CHORUS
Her only daughter left her many years ago
And still she don't know why
She said "Don't you worry mother, you will never see me cry"
Yes they rise in their own way (Repeat)
And they rise in their own way (Repeat)
(Repeat)
@Tom.Livanos
@@executivelifehacks6747
I related/relate to the class divide. Especially globally. Contrasts in access to food... man... to this day that blows my mind if I spend any length of time pondering it. Yeah, I hear ya. The lyrics have a communist/socialist underpinning. Capitalism's "I own" mantra though.. that has reigned supreme. Ugh. If planetary history is compacted to 24-hours then we humans appeared at 2-3 seconds to midnight. Appeared. In the last few centuries.. millennia on the outside [i.e. "milliseconds"], we have acted as if we own the place 🥴. That's "f---ing genius" yet... that is capitalism...
[Off on a tangent: to me it matters not if a corporation "owns" land, individuals/families "own" land, some layer of government "owns" land. In this key manner, North Korea, China, Cuba, Venezuela, the former Soviet Union... all capitalist.]
Identity politics today. Yeah, for sure, it is ethnic. It is also based on gender (which is expanding) and sexual orientation. Not sure I can relate to that as much as I could to class divides. Identity politics to me to be legitimising reverse sexism, reverse racism... and focusing on who is making an argument rather than the quality of the argument being made. Not sure if that is a theme to this song.
I take your point though: times have changed. In this sense, I think for the worse. The quality of an argument has to be the top consideration. Anything else is disempowering to humanity... to the point of being dehumanising. Even if one is a superficial beneficiary e.g. black skinned and/or female or non-binary and/or non-heterosexual. The quality of one's argument has to be the top consideration - it is the only thing which a person can improve upon. Skin colour, gender, sexual orientation... each and every last one of us was 'thrust' into this world. Why focus on anatomies or sexual orientation? The focus ought to be on the quality of an argument (which I am using here as a noun... not a verb).
Yeah, anyway, nice to chew the fat with ya. Still a strange arse song to me. Lyrics are all on about rebellion and rising up. I suppose Braithwaite kinda pays tribute to 'the invisibles' in society. Anyone who does not have opportunity to rise up due to punishing circumstances for life. Fair enough but then the music does not match that theme. The music is just light pop. It is enjoyable in its own way but it is fluff. Hardly gets the justice juices flowing. Oh well.
@paulfletcher1073
Chosen Few, wrote Rise and their version received massive airplay on Trippel M FM 104.5.
Their version is raw and in my humble opinion better than Dazza. Dazza changed a few words.
"The fast one amongst them brings home food for those to slow" should say
"And Fast Eddie Robinson brings home food for those to slow"
Check it. Chosen Few - Rise
@carolinegodden4364
Thanks DAZZA!!! LOVE FOREVER AMORE, CAZZA.
ONYA AND BIG HUGS JF,
VOICE OF AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 STRAYA SOUTHERN CROSS SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
OUR JOHN FARNHAM
BRAVO GOLDEN BRUVVERS... THANKS COLES MENTONE...
GOD LOVE YA STEVE, WE ALLLLL DO.
THANKS GAVIN, DAD OF TEENAGERS with great 💡 on how to alert the TEENAGERS THAT THE ELDERS ARE LOOKING AFTER THE DELIQUENT PROBLEM.
KEITH STYLES PARK ISSUES, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED.... SO WE ALL ARE IN ON THE CONVO... DOES THE VERY FABULOUS KINGSTON COUNCIL HAVE SOMEONE AVAILABLE TO GATHER CONTEXT HERE WOTH US ALL... IN PUBLIC.
IN 2023, MOST OFFICIAL STUFF WILL BE PUBLIC FORUM.... SO GREAT PRACTICE.... WANNA GIVE IT A GO MATES????
I AM TOO BUSY TO GET IN FRONT OF SOMEONE TODAY... WAS TOO SICK LAST WEEK
AT YOUR LEISURE, WE ARE HERE 24/7.
ONYAS, thanks in advance. CJ x 3.27 pm
Monday 14 th November 2022.
@kezzstar24
In the late 90's/early 2000's my Mum would throw on music every weekend morning. Usually to do her exercise videos, but loud enough that even in my room downstairs (being the oldest FTW) I could hear the music and I knew that it was time to get up and have breakfast. This was one of the songs that she played and man did it just smack me in the face with nostalgia. RIP Mum (as much as you can swanning around every cocktail bar in Heaven).
@sonbur76
Completely forgot about this song. Another gem from Daryl. Love his music.
@paulfletcher1073
The Chosen Few wrote and sung it.
Their original is brilliant and the lyrics have been changed by Dazza.
Check it
https://youtu.be/Wzjaqelm6hY
@meridian2000
This could've been a massive hit in the UK 🇬🇧, the UK has no idea some of the Australian music that some of the Australian stars didn't release in the UK have missed out on.
@charlieblack2634
GOD Bless Daryl. One of my Favourite songs ever. The again ALL of my Favourite songs are sung by Daryl, even back to Sherbet!
@andrewwhitbread9362
Changing a Belief changes a Culture.
@anthonytassone9209
Saw Daryl perform live at a post Australian Rules Grand final dinner a couple of weeks ago.
When the intro of “Rise” came in - instantly took me back to when I was 10 years old and listening to the album for the first time as it was one of the first ever albums I bought.
Daryl’s still “got it” as a live performer and an amazing end to a fantastic day.
@VincentGilio042
This song is brilliant and Daryl Braithwaite is absolutely brilliant in this song!!!! I love this song very much. A great Australian classic from the early 1990's!!!!!!
@traceyreynolds5221
Omg totally forgot this song existed I haven't heard it in so long. Love love love all the old Aussie Rock songs that grew out of the pub circuit bands
@braddabrowski1108
Tracey Reynolds yer not wrong ,so good