Get Up Stand Up
Peter Tos 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 our rights, come on

Get up, stand up (brothers)
Stand up for your rights (come on)
Get up, stand up (sisters)
Don′t give up the fight (I′m begging you to)

Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up (I said)
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
You would look for yours right here 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
Just stand up for your rights (don′t let 'em 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 (don′t let 'em push you ′round)

(I say) Get up, stand up

Stand up for your rights (come on all sisters)
Get up, stand up

Overall Meaning

The song "Get Up, Stand Up" by Peter Tosh is a powerful call to action for people to stand up for their rights and not give up the fight. The repeated chorus highlights the importance of not giving up in the face of adversity and continuing the struggle for justice. The lyrics also critique religious leaders who deceive people and misrepresent the true worth of life. The line "you a duppy and you don't know what life is really worth" refers to the Jamaican belief in ghosts or spirits, implying that the religious leaders are misguided and out of touch with reality.

The song also highlights the dangers of waiting for a savior to come and solve all problems. Rather than waiting passively for a great God to come from the skies, the lyrics emphasize the need to take action and fight for one's own rights here on earth. The message is clear: one has to look within to find the power to change the world, and relying on external forces is not enough.

Overall, "Get Up, Stand Up" is a song that continues to inspire people around the world to stand up for their rights and fight against oppression. Peter Tosh's passionate delivery and the timeless message of the lyrics make it a classic anthem of resistance and empowerment.

Line by Line Meaning

Get up, stand up
We must rise up and take action

Stand up for your rights
We need to defend and assert our rights

Don't give up the fight
We must persist and not let anything discourage us

You preacher man, don't tell me
We don't need someone else to tell us what our destiny is

Heaven is under the earth
The idea of heaven being a far-off reward is untrue

You a duppy and you don't know
You are confused and you don't know the truth

What life is really worth
The value of life is being overlooked

It's not all that glitter is gold
Not everything that appears valuable is truly so

And half the story has never been told
We do not yet know the complete truth

So now we see the light
We have come to understand what is truly important

We gonna stand up for our rights, come on
We will take action to defend our rights

Get up, stand up (brothers)
All people must take action together

Stand up for your rights (come on)
Defend your rights with courage and determination

Get up, stand up (sisters)
All people, regardless of gender, must take action together

′Cause you know most people think
There is a common misconception among many people

A great God will come from the skies
People are waiting for change to come from above

And take away every little thing
This change is expected to make everything better

And left everybody dry
In reality, this change has left everyone unfulfilled

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

You would look for yours right here on Earth
You would realize that the true value of life is found in the world around us

We′re sick and tired of this game of technology
We are becoming frustrated with how technology is controlling our lives

Humbly asking Jesus for his mercy
Some people have turned to religion for help and guidance

We know, we know and we understand
We have come to a deep level of understanding

Almighty Jah is a living man
We believe that a higher power exists within all of us

You fool some people sometimes
Some people can be easily manipulated

But you can′t fool all the people all the time
Eventually, people will see through deceit and manipulation

Get up, stand up (I said)
We must act and fight for our rights

Just stand up for your rights (don't let 'em hold you down)
We must assert ourselves and not let anyone oppress us

Writer(s): Bob Marley, Peter Tosh

Contributed by Sophia W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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01Cornerstone2:28

02Get Up Stand Up3:30

PT3M30S

Peter Tos

03Stick By Me3:13

04Good Thing Going3:40

05Bend Down Low

06Bless The Weed

07Woman's Dub

08Lovers Paradise Dennis Brown4:43

09Move On Up3:54

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Comments from YouTube:

@caiporabichodomato

3y↑23

O mais pesado do Reggae, ideologia foda, sons e letras monstras. Desde criança eu sou apaixonada de amor por esse homem. 🔥

@jusceliodeoliveira8926

2y↑2

hino da música regae ,

@jandyalfa134

@lucivalguedes2912

43w

Eu também gosto do peter mais essa letra se torna uma merda quando ele despreza o filho do Altíssimo e diz que salassie é o Deus poderoso essa eu jogo no lixo

@caiporabichodomato

43w↑1

@@lucivalguedes2912 ou talvez você não entenda a letra. Em outras culturas e religião Deus é idolatrado de outras formas, isso não significa que o cara odiasse Deus. Sem contar que como eles usam palavras (gírias) nem sempre é traduzido corretamente

@lucivalguedes2912

43w

@@caiporabichodomato kkkk acho que vc tá Equivocado irmão sei muito bem o que ele quis dizer

@PhilippeBlancR5

5y↑54

Peter Tosh is a legend. 🎸♥️😎

@stephanedjemaa3163

@Ezra Spurlock t ki

@tbonsai7070

3y↑4

Yes a true legend!!!

@shakadee6839

2y↑1

I met him back in 79 when he appeared at the apollo along with sly n robbie outstanding artist a him who taught Bob Marley to play guitar 🎤🇯🇲

@jonathanclary3992

@Shaka Dee I learned that Peter Tosh 🇯🇲🎶🎼 had earned a Grammy Award for his last Album No Nuclear War.

@mrwhite292

44w

@@shakadee6839lucky you, justice & peace

@davidroberts8462

3y↑34

Best version of this song without a doubt 🔥

@sergiopassaropsitacideos2365

https://youtube.com/shorts/8e91aEDDUs4?feature=shar

@morganWithTheStory

1y↑1

BOB'S VERSON IS THE BETTER

@jonathanclary3992

1y↑4

@Morgan Mwiti Both Versions are are awesome Plus technically since Peter Tosh wrote this song this is Peter's Song. Respect Both Versions 🇯🇲🎼🎵🎶

@ziggygong3312

1y↑2

@Jonathan Clary Marley and Tosh co-wrote it.

@LucyJoseph-pl4op

51w

Very correct

1 More Replies...

@ronneishajinkins4570

5y↑14

This is SOUL MUSIC! I done learned this song in a 15 min car ride while tearing up in tears of victory!!! WE WILL HAVE THE VICTORY IT IS OURS!!! ASÉ ASÉ ASÉ!!!!!!

@willieluncheonette

9y↑30

Continuing our little tribute to Peter Tosh one day after the anniversary of his passing on September 11, 1987. It must have been difficult for Peter to come up with an album approaching the greatness of Legalize It, but with his second solo effort, Equal Rights (1978) he succeeded. As with Legalize It, there is not a weak track on the whole album. The backing band is superb---Al Anderson gtr Earl Lindo keyboards Robbie Skakespeare b and Sly Dunbar d. Bunny Wailer, who had already left the Wailers, sings background vocals. Dunbar has stated " Sly and Robbie's international career started when we toured with Peter Tosh in support of the Equal Rights album." Get Up Stand Up first appeared on the Wailers' Burnin' album with Bob singing lead and Peter taking one chorus. Here it's all Peter and he changes some of the lyrics. One of the most famous songs in the history of Jamaican music, this version is also outstanding . The opening song on Equal Rights.

@missymccoy8427

9y↑37

This song is just as vital today in 2015 as it was in 1978, perhaps even more so.

@cristiancovarrubias6256

6y↑3

"2019"

@lucasoheyze4597

4y↑2

Hello 2019...this is 2020, laughing at you 😆

@missymccoy8427

4y↑1

@Lucas O'heyze crying

@boondockbwoy14

3y↑3

And here we are in 2021 and still very very relevant and meaningful POWERFUL TOSH🔥

@cork1001

22w

@@boondockbwoy14here we r in 2023 n ppl don’t even know their rights n r asking for too much😑

@yingle6027

22w↑1

The bass is extra deep in this one

@niltoncezar7518

1y↑1

Levante, resista! (Então, nos não podemos desistir da luta!)
Lute pelos seus direitos! (Senhor, Senhor)
Levante, resista!

@platinum3177

4y↑6

Beaucoup de souvenirs , 1978... avec cette belle chanson 🙏🏻

@blacklionhawaiinigga4543

47w↑2

Máximo respeito

@laesioaraujo4939

3y↑4

Quem te ama não te julga. 🤙🏽❤️

@robertodimande5767

3y↑2

Unbeatable Reggae Tune. 2021 steel listening to the original Get up stand from the teacher and reggae prophet. Equal rights by far is world best reggae album ever .

@abrahampalmer1153

7y↑82

old school reggae music is the best it use to be so uplifting talking about the struggles of oppression and love for black women unlike nowadays many so called reggae artists that promote nothing but negativity in their music drugs cars materialism women sex etc... I stick to the roots

@boondockbwoy14

3y↑3

Facts

@tbonsai7070

3y↑2

You are so right I agree 100%with you!!!

@microwave9434

No offense but ever listen to chronixx?

@boiketlogaebee5881

Me too I stick with the Roots

@andresvenegas1266

4y↑2

La. Mejor versión de todas voz de oro siempre viva en todos los rincones saludos desde maipu santiago de chile big UP

@vjetar1503

3y↑6

It reminds me of old times and young and good days

@skateography7683

3y↑4

Bumping Jah roots in 2020, much love and health to all

@canesno1fan

4y↑12

White kid who used to listen to this growing up in the 1980's thru my mother and her mates...in New Zealand. Love this. Brings me back to the old times, but also let's me realise how fucking cool she was back in the day.

Much love from NZ

@deannadacosta4231

3y↑1

Human being same blood same feelings same love xx

@canesno1fan

@deanna dacosta 100%

@binojchathuranga6543

3y↑2

great sound & music

@kyugonoson

1y↑2

"Almighty god is a living man", man what a word

@burningwolf4055

8y↑52

"Can fool some people sometimes, but you can't fool all the people all the time"

@boondockbwoy14

BiG!!

@abrahampalmer8761

Facts

@lindolindok2988

Power

@lindolindok2988

Power

@LunarFrequenciesHD

Yup

@eulaliedigoue7818

28w↑1

La vrai version 🔥👌🏽🎶🔊🎧

@leonardoabreu3387

25w

Bem melhor

@LucyJoseph-pl4op

29w↑1

Best version

@yusufabidinoglu4417

38w↑1

GREAT REGGAE KING PETER TOSH LONG LİVE

@portiadubazana2669

3y↑5

Reggae helped me grow ❤ 🤍

@abrahampalmer8761

Same

@heaneyuudemikoiov7070

How does Vevo have the right to this?
🇯🇲
This song is just as vital today in 2015 as it was in 1978, perhaps even more so.
Beaucoup de souvenirs , 1978... avec cette belle chanson 🙏🏻

@willieluncheonette

8y↑6

Eleventh song by the beautiful soul Peter Tosh.
In the interests of brevity these will be the last four songs we'll hear from him, all from his second album Equal Rights in 1977. . I could easily post 20 more great songs by him, but sometimes overkill is not the best way.
Get Up, Stand Up is a VERY famous song all over the world, originally heard sung by Bob Marley on the Wailers'album Burnin' in 1973. This was the last album all three of the original members appeared on.
In interviews when he was alive Bob has stated that he and Peter co-wrote the song, but recently there have been claims that only Peter was the writer.--- "In 1977, Tosh recorded “Get Up Stand Up” for his album, Equal Rights, the entire project conceived to relieve and champion the suffering population of the world, particularly in Apartheid-era South Africa and throughout the African diaspora. Reissued earlier this summer, the two-disc set features two versions of “Get Up Stand Up,” both credited to Tosh: The studio original, and an alternate take deemed too controversial for airplay because it included the n-word and profanity. “Not everyone realizes he wrote the song,” Tosh’s youngest daughter Niambe McIntosh told Crawdaddy! last month. “It was actually him who originated the song. He doesn’t get a lot of credit for a lot of the songs he wrote.”
Be that as it may, this is one of the most loved songs on this planet. The opening track on Equal Rights.

@nanetteperez398

7y↑1

Know where I could find that alternate take bro?

@b4ssfunk3d

2y↑2

He may have wrote this song, but he also took credit for a song he didn't write and never payed the songwriter for "Steppin Razor" just sayin...

@fredvan6043

2y↑1

Well, it's easy to say these things now that the two protagonists and (co-)authors are long gone... If Tosh wrote the entire song, he would have sung it entirely. Maybe he came with the starting idea, probably even the chorus (that was sung jointly), but two of the three verses are Marley's, that's for sure. All three Wailers sang lead on their own compositions, so there's no way Peter would have let Bob sing 2/3rd of this song unless those verses were his. And Niambe (who mainly uses her dad's name to raise her own profile) wasn't even born when this song was written, so her statements - that have never been confirmed by any of the original Wailers, not even Tosh himself - should be taken with more than a pinch of salt. Moreover, Tosh has claimed credits for songs he didn't even write himself (for which he was legally sued by former Wailers' mentor and author of 'Stepping razor' Joe Higgs, by the way), so if 'Get up stand up' was really his, boastful as he was he would never have shared the credits with Bob. Just be serious: if you were the one and only author of the most iconic reggae song of all times, would you keep this a secret until the day you die? Of course not!

@michelmastrorilli4083

We will never give up the fight!!! It's a none stop story as long the greedy rules!!!

@raiderd8189

23w

You can tell this was Peter’s song!

@terrell6109

46w

This was written by the great peter tosh the best there was the best there ever will be let hail the king of reggae tha great peter tosh

@fredvan6043

27w

Actually, most of it was written by Bob Marley. Ever heard of him, have you?

@guickguill4803

4y↑4

Aumentar o volume para contemplar o som

@caiporabichodomato

3y↑1

Aí sim, um brazuca aqui nos comentários

@ReinaldoJunior2301

@Iara Lin 🇧🇷

@nolanbucsis1703

Hallelujah Amen. Living in innity

@zorabrown3402

Don't give up the fight!

@antoniogambardella785

1y↑1

get up stand up 💣🔥👊🔝🎙💯

@philbis2774

45w

Peter's Anthem to the World

@metallicarock96

Love reggae 2022

@nottavictim5

Idunno, I always thought Tosh should have sung lead for The Wailers with Marley backing up. Plus his funky Curtis Mayfield style guitar work!!! Money in the bank

@fredvan6043

2y↑1

So he did (with Bob and Bunny backing) on the songs he wrote, some of which were really great (No Sympathy, 400 Years, Downpresser,...) but as a songwriter he wasn't as prolific as Bob. The great thing about the original Wailers was the alternation between Bob, Peter and Bunny taking the lead, unlike most classic Jamaican vocal groups who had just one lead singer, regardless of who wrote the song. Just a pity that after this extraordinary "Equal Rights" album, Tosh' music quickly went downhill, since there was so much more potential in it.

@mr.mhabvane6197

6y↑6

I prefer this vision more powerful much more motivating

@alexandremirandamartha9426

2y↑1

❤️😍💚

@nuanalimandomique2777

Classic

@ditmarthvanyoteditmarthvan294

3y↑1

🔥🌏 greetings from west Papua

@rocksteady6793

prob my fav version of the song

@intrepidlavakitten

49w

Heavy. Dub-conscience. Blue - Star 🌟

@dwightbaker3744

3y↑2

True words

@alberto-wo3pw

6y↑9

first RAP man, Legend.

@TheJonkaman

3y↑2

No, you're wrong. You need to know Jacksom do Pandeiro

@MrCrashBandicoot25

I'm growing in my closet legally... we stood up for our right.

@deniseahlquist2993

7y↑6

For humanity!

@geraldmatewere2601

👍👍👍👍 Legend

@cleonwalfall9590

46w

Amen

@Patrick_S392

8y↑5

For black people unity!

@dannyvidal965

7y↑7

For people unity!!

@Patrick_S392

7y↑2

The black people are the most divided people!

@RedGoldGreen-Dub

A Roots Staple Classic here 🔥🟥🟨🟩🫶🏻😎

@luvtoyscollector3373

5y↑3

❤️ Reggae Concerts ❤️ 💯

@lebogangmoeti5643

4y↑7

"half a story has never been told.."

@Metroturnstation

4y↑4

Hard coor REGGAE artist he write most of the song in THE WAILERS and didn't get the credit long live legend legalized it glass house get up RASTA fari live❤💚💛💥MY IDOL LONG LIVE

@abrahampalmer1153

4y↑1

Same here Peter tosh is my favorite artist ever in music history

@trianafoxwood7525

I like Peter Tosh more than Bob. I think he's better. Tosh is my favorite Reggae artist.

@shakadee6839

Peter was the leader by far Bob Marley always wanted to write all the songs and that was another contentious issue between the two of them and christ whitewell played on it as he was a psychologist so he knew how to play things to his advantage.
When Peter joined the group which was Bunny Wailer who formed the group in 1960 when Peter Tosh came neither Bob or Bunny could play or read music hence why Bunny said out of his own mouth we have found the missing link so you can overstand why Peter was so annoyed because he was never given the respect that was due to him and he knew it.
From colonial empire days the lighter you were the slave master tend to give you more rights over the darker ones and in the Caribbean racism is deep, if you were dark back then public jobs like working in the bank you could not get that position even down to your education you was pushed to one side for the lighter ones and Peter could see this he was no fool and as I say this it with pains because, mi see nothing has changed if you brown you stick around if you white you alright and if your black you stay back because you catching hell from both parties even as a child the darker one always cought hell, hence why Bob Marley got the props by far he was never a better musician than Peter he was the brain's behind the wailers.
May his spirit RIEP 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿❤🖤💛💚

@fredvan6043

27w

@@shakadee6839 Total BS. Bob was the most talented and most prolific songwriter, as is largely proven by both the original Wailers' output and Peter's and Bob's solo works afterwards. And it was not Blackwell, but (black producer) Lee Perry before him who made Bob the Wailers' front man, considering him the natural leader of the group. Had Bob's skin been black as coal and Peter's half brownish, that wouldn't have changed a thing.

@cathc4292

4y↑2

peter tosh😍

@kiturselassie813

4y↑2

Loud n clear

@kwengagrooves2805

🔥✊

@metallicarock96

Love rap 2022

@therootoflife5290

Respect from Tanzania

@justndiwi4696

3y↑1

genius

@sergiopassaropsitacideos2365

Boa noite

@sergiopassaropsitacideos2365

https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCE5O8_s53F8S5UnotLoeERg/editing/images

@usamamorgan2117

8y↑2

100per cent regae...

@salahhilal2042

1y↑1

TOP

@siphiweafrika977

8y↑23

Get up, stand up Black people!

@bonniehill2594

The next President is black, but..? Can
She be good? …

@thatguyitsme7707

1y↑1

Racism like yours ignores the entire meaning/spirit of the song itself. And you should be careful what you ask for. Peace and Love

@markjones3213

36w

Good black people. Not the ones who steal and kill people daily

@cork1001

22w

@@thatguyitsme7707ik right 😂

@dwightbaker3744

23w

Yes stand up

@walterpeter7957

Rest in peace Brother, it's September 11 2022

@moustaphandiaye4001

6y↑1

is veri good

@jepthawilliams8413

3y↑1

TOSH write this song .Men and people don't know that

@fredvan6043

2y↑1

Well, he wrote one of the three verses... Please stick to the facts.

@raffileespartamusic5351

4y↑2

Lee Tosh stand firm

@dexterjones8646

9y↑4

How does Vevo have the right to this?

@dexterjones8646

9y↑1

+Dexter Jones You behave as if you were alongside the artists in the studio who recorded this.

@8KILLSTEP

Dexter Jones psyco

@metallicarock96

Love jamaica 2022

@holistichealingbytiamat1832

Happy 420 💚🤍💚
💚💛♥️

@brunorodrigues6953

Jah BLESS

@luigitunes1

Who is the bass player?

@rabola55

4y↑1

Robbie Shakespeare with Sly Dunbar on drums. Legends.

@_Mulberrystreetgirl01_

4y↑2

🇯🇲

@juggalohiphopemporiummore7134

Whoopwhoop

@indiratjongarero1182

3y↑1

2021- Covid 19 I'm here

@geoffroysorinedaillauddeca2680

Peter please live a magik moment with me and put some of your song on my facebook group freedom only by the power of your willing thanks

@yusufabidinoglu4417

38w

You Preacher Man Dont Tell Me Heaven ıs Under The World

@coronagodthefather3286

bAbylon if u was a big tree corona 👑 jah rastafari god the father say size don't mean shit now

@corkovits

ye rasta fari music 2021/22.

@peterbayley7270

1y↑1

Hi bless to you all have a bless night to u bor have a bless to us all have a good night to u bor have a bless night to u all of us who be a life

@oliveiraalves6493

6y↑2

Crítica social

@suzihall778

2y↑1

He wrote this pro-protest song

@riccardolaurence8899

6y↑2

WRITTEN B. Marley

@conquerruler4034

6y↑3

Riccardo Laurence and Peter Tosh

@3aw77

5y↑7

Peter and Bob CO-WROTE this song, Peter then wrote his own version solo, and recorded it alone,

@riccardolaurence8899

4y↑2

An So Bob Marley wrote Get Up Stand Tosh - Marley 1977.

@MCNeyeUnspeakable

This song is credited solely to Peter a Tosh on Burnin (the version everyone knows) he was the guitar player for the Wailers. He then went on to fucking shit on everyone’s versions with his definitive performances of this song and the album version. It’s said that Tosh would randomly show up unannounced at Bobs shows after he left the band and steal the mic from him to a whole crowds applause and perform the last verse

@fredvan6043

2y↑2

@Speak N Eye On my vinyl version of Burnin', the song is credited to Marley/Tosh.

@bamidelefadimiluyi9149

4y↑2

2020

@niltoncezar7518

39w

Muitas vezes o povo brasileiro gosta mais da música em inglês não tá entendendo o que está falando, e quando se lê traduzida muito deles não pratica o que diz a música, mais um hipócrita.