Which Side Are You On?
Rebel Diaz Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Which side are you on? (refrain)

(G1)
See I gotta draw the line, I can't take it no more
If you ain't down with revolution what you waitin' for
Makin' money for suckas and our communities poor
Rippin' flags off of coffins, man, this ain't our war
Colonized and terrorized by the world's biggest killers
The US government, the biggest weapon and drug dealers
Fillin' prisons with children incarceratin' the future
Myspace and facebook, they got us stuck on computers
Stuck on stupid bumpin' music that's abusive to the shorties
And the nonsense that you spittin', they just listen and absorb it
I've been dormant, I've awoken, I'm a giant, I'm ready
I'm with the APPO in Oaxaca and we holdin' machetes

(RodStarz)
I rock hard like Palestinian children holdin' slingshots!
I'm with every single kid that's down for hip hop
For the culture, the life, what it really stands for
This music is resistance, it's the voice of the poor
I'm on the side of the workers, the teachers and lunchladies,
On the streets with brown mommys raisin' our brown babies,
I'm with youth organizers cleanin' up the Bronx river
I'm like Jaime Escalante when I stand and deliver
I'm with Evo Morales, man, he runnin' Bolivia
Distribution of the land so they could all live bigger
Im with Hugo and Fidel, Grandmaster and Melle Mel,
with the Panthers up in Queens, justice for Sean Bell,
I'm with Camacho Negron, im with Ojeda Rios,
freedom for Oscar Lopez, time to get an appeal,
I'm with Abu-Jamal, I'm with Assata Shakur,
I'm with the compas in Immokalee getting a penny more!
(chorus:)
Which side are you on?
Chi city!!!
Which side are you on?
South bronx!!!
Which side are you on?
Oaxaca!!!
Which side are you on?
Palestina!!

(Lah Tere)
I'm with Elvira Arellano, I'm with Rudy Lozano,
I'm for a world without borders and a better tomorrow.
I'm with Mothers on the Move, I'm with sistas on the rise
I'm with La Pena del Bronx, keepin' culture alive
I'm with the kids at the Batey, watchin' a beat battle
Mean muggin' all these yuppies in shorts and brown sandels
I'm with parents everywhere fightin' for good schools
And for all these good women to find some good dudes
I'm with Salvador Allende, man, I'm Super Anti Momio!
Con el pueblo en la Havana grito Viva Cuba Cono!
I'm for immigrants, activists, unions, and freelancers
For djs, mcs, bombers, and breakdancers
I'm with editors, engineers, and indymedia
I'm with my family and my crew Rebel Diaz
I'm with Dj Disco Wiz, a Latino pioneer
Cuz it's dope when the elders break bread with the kids.

(G1)
I'm for tellin' the truth exposing the lies
Think about the dead soldiers when you're drivin' your ride
Them people died for the oil and Daddy Bush's revenge
I'm with the widows, the children, and the lonely best friends
I'm with Families Stayin Together as ONE
I'm not for the raids and the deportations!
I'm with Victor Toro and The M.I.R.
So watch out for those snitches in that unmarked car!
And for Lil Saulito, we gonna fight for your moms.
So we gonna shout her out, twice in one song.
I'm for twelve million workers and Elvira Arellano
I'm for a world without borders and a better tomorrow

(chorus)

Overall Meaning

The song "Which Side Are You On?" by Rebel Diaz is a powerful anthem for revolution and resistance, calling out the injustices and inequalities perpetuated by the government and capitalist system. G1 begins the verse by drawing a line, stating that he can no longer tolerate the exploitation of our communities and the glorification of violence in mainstream media. He highlights the US government's role in dominating and oppressing countries around the world as well as the school-to-prison pipeline that is incarcerating children and destroying their futures. RodStarz follows up, emphasizing his solidarity with those fighting for justice around the world, including Palestinians, workers, and indigenous people like Evo Morales and Hugo and Fidel. Lah Tere adds her voice to the mix, highlighting her support for women, immigrants, and cultural preservation.


The chorus repeats the hook "Which Side Are You On?" followed by the answer representing various locations around the world, including Chi City (Chicago), South Bronx, Oaxaca, and Palestina. The repetition of this question emphasizes the choice to take action and make a stand for what you believe in.


Overall, the song is a call to action for people to choose a side in the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. It urges listeners to be active participants in the fight against systemic oppression and to support community-based movements working towards a better future for all.


Line by Line Meaning

See I gotta draw the line, I can't take it no more
I have reached my limit and cannot tolerate the current state of affairs


If you ain't down with revolution what you waitin' for
If you are not committed to the revolution, what are you waiting for?


Makin' money for suckas and our communities poor
The current economic system is exploiting our communities and leaving them impoverished


Rippin' flags off of coffins, man, this ain't our war
The war being waged is not for us and we should not be participating


Colonized and terrorized by the world's biggest killers
We have been subjected to colonization and terrorism by the most powerful nations in the world


The US government, the biggest weapon and drug dealers
The United States government is the largest weapons and drug dealer in the world


Fillin' prisons with children incarceratin' the future
The prison industrial complex is imprisoning young people and destroying their futures


Myspace and facebook, they got us stuck on computers
Social media platforms have made us addicted to technology and detached from reality


Stuck on stupid bumpin' music that's abusive to the shorties
We are consuming music that is disrespectful and harmful to young people


And the nonsense that you spittin', they just listen and absorb it
The negative messages in music are being internalized by young people


I've been dormant, I've awoken, I'm a giant, I'm ready
I have been dormant, but I am now awake and ready to take action


I'm with the APPO in Oaxaca and we holdin' machetes
I am part of the APPO in Oaxaca and we are fighting for our rights with weapons


I rock hard like Palestinian children holdin' slingshots!
I am as determined and committed as Palestinian children who are fighting with slingshots


For the culture, the life, what it really stands for
I am fighting for the true meaning and essence of the culture and way of life


This music is resistance, it's the voice of the poor
Music is a form of resistance and the voice of the impoverished


I'm on the side of the workers, the teachers and lunchladies,
I am on the side of the working class, teachers, and service workers


On the streets with brown mommys raisin' our brown babies,
I am with mothers of color raising their children on the streets


I'm with youth organizers cleanin' up the Bronx river
I am supporting young organizers who are cleaning up the Bronx river


I'm like Jaime Escalante when I stand and deliver
I am like Jaime Escalante, inspiring and teaching the next generation


I'm with Evo Morales, man, he runnin' Bolivia
I am supporting Evo Morales and his leadership in Bolivia


Distribution of the land so they could all live bigger
The distribution of land is necessary for people to live better lives


Im with Hugo and Fidel, Grandmaster and Melle Mel,
I am supporting Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, and Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel


with the Panthers up in Queens, justice for Sean Bell,
I am working with the Panthers to achieve justice for Sean Bell in Queens


I'm with Camacho Negron, im with Ojeda Rios,
I am supporting Camacho Negron and Ojeda Rios in their fight for justice


freedom for Oscar Lopez, time to get an appeal,
We need to secure Oscar Lopez's freedom and demand an appeal


I'm with Abu-Jamal, I'm with Assata Shakur,
I am supporting Abu-Jamal and Assata Shakur in their struggle for justice


I'm with the compas in Immokalee getting a penny more!
I am standing with the people in Immokalee, fighting for fair wages


I'm with Elvira Arellano, I'm with Rudy Lozano,
I am supporting Elvira Arellano and Rudy Lozano in their fight for immigrant rights


I'm for a world without borders and a better tomorrow.
I am fighting for a world without borders and a better future for all


With La Pena del Bronx, keepin' culture alive
I am supporting La Pena del Bronx in preserving cultural traditions


I'm with the kids at the Batey, watchin' a beat battle
I am supporting the kids at the Batey and their music competitions


I'm with parents everywhere fightin' for good schools
I am supporting parents who are fighting for better schools for their children


And for all these good women to find some good dudes
Women deserve respectful and kind partners


I'm with Salvador Allende, man, I'm Super Anti Momio!
I am supporting Salvador Allende and I am strongly against authoritarian regimes


Con el pueblo en la Havana grito Viva Cuba Cono!
With the people in Havana, I shout Long Live Cuba!


For djs, mcs, bombers, and breakdancers
I am fighting for recognition and support for DJs, MCs, graffiti artists, and breakdancers


I'm with editors, engineers, and indymedia
I am supporting editors, engineers, and independent media


I'm with my family and my crew Rebel Diaz
I am loyal to my family and my group, Rebel Diaz


I'm with Dj Disco Wiz, a Latino pioneer
I am supporting DJ Disco Wiz in his contributions to Latino culture


Cuz it's dope when the elders break bread with the kids.
It is inspiring to see the older generation share their wisdom with the younger generation


I'm for tellin' the truth exposing the lies
It is important to speak the truth and expose falsehoods


Think about the dead soldiers when you're drivin' your ride
Remember the lives lost in war when you enjoy your privilege


The people died for the oil and Daddy Bush's revenge
The war was fought for oil and revenge, not for the people


I'm with the widows, the children, and the lonely best friends
I am standing with those who have lost loved ones in war


I'm with Families Stayin Together as ONE
I am supporting families staying united and together


I'm not for the raids and the deportations!
I am against immigration raids and deportations


I'm with Victor Toro and The M.I.R.
I am supporting Victor Toro and The M.I.R. in their fight for justice


So watch out for those snitches in that unmarked car!
Be aware of snitches and undercover law enforcement


And for Lil Saulito, we gonna fight for your moms.
We will fight for Lil Saulito's mother


So we gonna shout her out, twice in one song.
We will give Lil Saulito's mother recognition twice in one song


I'm for twelve million workers and Elvira Arellano
I am supporting the twelve million workers and Elvira Arellano


I'm for a world without borders and a better tomorrow
I am fighting for a world without borders and a better future for all


Which side are you on?
Which side of the struggle are you on?


Chi city!!!
Referring to Chicago as a city of resistance


South bronx!!!
Referring to the South Bronx as a city of resistance


Oaxaca!!!
Referring to Oaxaca, Mexico as a city of resistance


Palestina!!
Referring to Palestine as a place of resistance and struggle




Contributed by Lauren N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@svyalinirnhut890

@@ClassWarMatrix Have you been working as a worker yourself? Have you participated in your local Union movement? Have you ever walked into a working factory? If not, then you'd better shut your mouth. The original song was about workers who struggled to earned their place in the industral production and those who fought for their rights. You are just another edgy teenager who talks shit on the internet.

Violent revolution? Do you know the weight of these words? Have you thought about gaining the support of Masses? The principal leading Your so-called revolution to prevent it from becoming a mindless bloodbath? Do you have the gut to fight and to die for your ideology? No. You hadn't even seen how working class live in America. Earning 20,000 dollars a year seems legit for a factory worker to me. How are you going to convince them to forego their high wages and risk their life for you? Nobody is gonna be convinced by your childish talk, perhaps only people with no job and nothing to do in their life will.

Who else are you going to convince to join you? College students who work at Mcdonalds on minimal wages? You think there are enough of them who can and are willing to fight? lol.

Do you know where to get a gun to start a revolution? You'd probably still have to follow your local gun regulations made by the Established Government lol.
And i doubt military could be convinced by keyboard warriors like you.

Please, Just stfu, you are embrassing yourself.



All comments from YouTube:

@anthonytarczynski5423

Don’t scab out for your bosses
Don’t listen to their lies
Us poor folk ain’t got a chance
Unless we organise!

@antifascistskater

Dont scab for the bosses
Dont listen to their lies
We poor folks havent got a chance
Unless we organize

@basedkat7311

Don't scab out for your bosses
Don't listen to their lies
Us poor folk ain't got a chance
Unless we organise!

@broodbassoon105

Don’t scab out for your bosses
Don’t listen to their lies
Us poor folk ain’t got a chance
Unless we organise!

@prettycaramel9237

Came here to put EXACTLY this💥

@WBradleyRobbins

Debs is smiling on you.

5 More Replies...

@Streem87

"Those who do not move, do not notice their chains." Rosa Luxemburg

PEACE!

@sansocie

Peace after Victory.

@oo-ep7qp

"you always think that exist tyrans but you was wrong
its there only slaves, were nobody obey nobody command" Anselme Bellegarigue

@amiracleone2803

Amazing comment thank you.

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