Rise Up
Josiah Johnson Lyrics


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You are worried
That the sun will not rise in the morning again
And you are worried
That the roads are not open for you to come home

But we will rise up
Don't even think about it, all the world is here
You are a darlin', you are a light
You are the ground, your feet are near

You are feelin' underwater
Outside a shape, formlessly circulating
Don't hold back, really fall apart
And find the shape of the thing that you are

'Cause we will rise up
Don't even think about it, all the world is here
You are a darlin', you are a light
You are the ground, your feet are near

Take a breath
Don't even think about it, just breathe

Take a breath
Don't even think about it, just breathe

You are worried
That the sun will not rise in the morning again
And you are worried
That the roads are not open for you to come home

But we will rise up
Don't even think about it, all the world is here
You are a darlin', you are a light
You are the ground, your feet are near

Ooh-oh-ooh
Oh-ooh
Oh-ooh

Ooh-oh-ooh




Oh-ooh
Oh-ooh

Overall Meaning

In Josiah Johnson's "Rise Up," the lyrics speak to a sense of worry and uncertainty, both in the world around us and within ourselves. The opening lines express this anxiety, as the singer is concerned that even the sun won't rise and the roads won't open. These are seemingly everyday occurrences, but they represent a larger feeling of unease and a lack of control. However, the chorus offers a hopeful message of rising up and not giving in to these worries. The idea is that the world is here to support us and that we can find strength within ourselves, as we are all darlings, lights, and grounds. The repetition of the lines "take a breath" emphasizes the importance of staying grounded and present, even in times of distress. Overall, the song encourages listeners to acknowledge their worries and fears but not to be consumed by them, as they have the power to rise above.


It's interesting to note that "Rise Up" was inspired by Johnson's struggles with addiction and mental health. In an interview with American Songwriter, he explained that the song came to him during a time of personal turmoil, and writing it offered him a way to cope with his emotions. Additionally, Johnson has said that the song was written for the people in his life who were going through difficult times, with the hope that it could offer them some comfort.


Line by Line Meaning

You are worried
You are full of anxieties and fears


That the sun will not rise in the morning again
That the world seems grim and without hope


And you are worried
You are still filled with anxiety and apprehension


That the roads are not open for you to come home
That your way back home or your path towards your dreams seems blocked, and this adds to your worries


But we will rise up
Together, we will overcome the odds that seem insurmountable


Don't even think about it, all the world is here
We can face any obstacle since we are a part of this vast universe


You are a darlin', you are a light
You have a certain charm and an attractive personality, and you bring light to the world even in difficult times


You are the ground, your feet are near
You are grounded in reality, and your feet are firmly planted on the earth


You are feelin' underwater
You feel helpless and incapable of moving forward, like you are drowning in a sea of negative thoughts and emotions


Outside a shape, formlessly circulating
You feel as though you lack direction, clarity and structure in your life


Don't hold back, really fall apart
The best way to build back up is to let go of your inhibitions and allow yourself to process your feelings


And find the shape of the thing that you are
Pick up the pieces and discover the unique thing that makes you you


'Cause we will rise up
Together, we shall rise up


Take a breath
Pause for a moment and take a deep breath


Don't even think about it, just breathe
Take your mind off your problems and focus on your breath


Ooh-oh-ooh


Oh-ooh


Oh-ooh


Ooh-oh-ooh


Oh-ooh


Oh-ooh




Writer(s): Kimberly Kristina Kylland, Josiah David Johnson

Contributed by Camden P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@memoirsofthemisunderstood8761

I often find myself coming back to this song when i'm feeling low.
something about his voice when he sings this song. the song has a feeling of hope, like it's telling you it'll get better, and that's why it will always be in my mind and in my heart, thanks Josiah and thank you Song Catcher.

@donnyosborn1285

Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful

@christopherhenderson7303

Beautiful!

@cszollinger

These mics sound so great. What are they?

@ASongCatcher

Thank you 🎶 the mic Josiah is singing into is a Timbre Tones mic (made in Finland) and the other mic is a stereo Ear Trumpet Lab mic (made in Portland, OR)

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