RISE
NoMeansNo Lyrics


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Rise, rise and sin no more
Rise, rise and sin no more

Across the bridge and through the door
We won't talk about it, talk about it anymore
Who's on the bottom or who's on top
Look into my eyes it will never stop, never stop
Rise, rise and sin no more
Rise, rise and sin no more

Along your belly in between your thights
Look at my face, i hear you, I hear you cry
Over the mountains on top of the sky
See the bodies, writhe, writhe, writhe, withre
Withre

Who's on the bottom? who's on top ?
Rise, rise and sin no more
Rise, rise and sin no more

Bound and gagged we talk together
Through the halls and the lofty colonnades
Look at the picture that line the walls




See the bodies fall, fall, fall
Writhe, Rise

Overall Meaning

The song "Rise" by NoMeansNo is a cryptic, powerful piece that has a mysterious quality to it. The lyrics of the song seem to be talking about a secret meeting, possibly an affair or a tryst between two people who are trying to escape from a reality they cannot face. The idea of sinning no more and rising above their situation can be interpreted as a call to action, a plea to change their ways and move on from whatever they are running from. The lines "We won't talk about it, talk about it anymore" add to the sense of secrecy and the need to keep their meeting hidden.


The lyrics of the song come alive in the second verse as the imagery shifts to a more erotic, sensual tone, with the description of the bodies writhing together like in a sexual act. The reference to "Bound and gagged" also adds to the sense of taboo and secretivity. Overall, the song seems to be a plea for escape from the constraints of society, from the norms that dictate our lives, from the limitations placed upon us by others.


Line by Line Meaning

Rise, rise and sin no more
Encouraging someone to rise up and change their ways for the better by avoiding sinful actions


Rise, rise and sin no more
Repeating the demand to rise and improve morally


Across the bridge and through the door
Starting a new phase, leaving behind past situations or discussions


We won't talk about it, talk about it anymore
Acknowledging the end of the discussion and avoiding further conversation about the subject


Who's on the bottom or who's on top
Questioning a power dynamic or hierarchy between people


Look into my eyes it will never stop, never stop
Promising a continuous and unending situation


Along your belly in between your thighs
Describing a close and intimate physical proximity


Look at my face, I hear you, I hear you cry
Showing empathy and attentiveness to the partner's emotions


Over the mountains on top of the sky
Describing a vast and limitless scenario


See the bodies, writhe, writhe, writhe, wither
Observing people in movement, changing, and deteriorating


Who's on the bottom? who's on top?
Repeating the question of power or hierarchy between people


Bound and gagged we talk together
Being in a situation of restraint, but still communicating


Through the halls and the lofty colonnades
Moving through a grand architectural space


Look at the pictures that line the walls
Observing the images displayed on the walls


See the bodies fall, fall, fall
Seeing people succumb to something, possibly tragic or catastrophic


Writhe, Rise
Two contrasting actions, possibly suggesting an ongoing cycle of struggle and resilience




Contributed by Victoria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

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Mr Fingers

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Claw267

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Mr Fingers

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