Get Up Stand Up
Serj Tankian/Tom Morello/Wayne Kramer Lyrics
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'Cause you are standing for nothing
Just shut up
'Cause your words mean nothing
Everyone is at each other's throats
Everyone thinking that they know things that they don't know
Everyone painting the third coat on the wall of belief
When I call the police will they just kill me?
Will they just kill you?
When I call the police will they just protect me 'cause I'm white skinned too?
Every time you talk the system knows
Everywhere you walk the cameras go
Everything I say you already know
Everything that's safe's about to blow
Way back before Jim Crow
When I call the police will they just kill me?
Will they just kill you?
When I call the police will they just protect me cause I'm white skinned too?
Stand up
'Cause you are standing for nothing
Just shut up
'Cause your words mean nothing
Everybody stares like I'm just my gender
I'm a living soul with my own agenda
Tell me, how you are the priest and the prosecution
Angel of a God who loves executions
Corruption in the blue line ripples out
Eruption in the streets bring the few and proud
Attention when your knees fall to the ground
Silently loud
When I call the police will they just kill me?
Will they just kill you?
When you call the police would they just protect you cause you're white skinned too?
Every day that passes I'm angrier
Every time the cops get a hall pass, build another barrier
Now it's stereotypical
No I'm not cynical
Political hypocritical
Corruption in the blue line ripples out
Eruption in the streets bring you few and proud
Attention when the knees fall to the ground
Silently loud
Stand up
'Cause you are standing for nothing
Just shut up
'Cause your words mean nothing
If you walked a mile in my shoes
You'd probably take 'em off wouldn't you?
If you had to live in my truth
You'd probably tell a lie wouldn't you?
When I call the police will they just kill me?
Will they just kill you?
Stand up
Stand for nothing
Nothing
You stand for nothing
Stand up
'Cause you stand for nothing
Just shut up
'Cause your words mean nothing
Stand up
'Cause you stand for nothing
Just shut up
'Cause your words mean nothing
The song "Get Up Stand Up" by Serj Tankian, Tom Morello, and Wayne Kramer is a call to action to stand up for what you believe in, and to question authority and the systems in place. The lyrics suggest that we should not blindly follow the beliefs and actions of those in power, and that we must speak out against corruption and injustice.
The first verse criticizes those who refuse to stand up for anything, calling them out for their inaction and meaningless words. They go on to suggest that everyone is quick to claim that they know everything, even when they don't. The line "sending me relief" could be interpreted as a plea for assistance or support during difficult times.
The second verse raises important questions about police brutality and racial discrimination. The lyrics suggest that calling the police for help may not offer protection for people of color, but rather may result in further violence. The line "corruption in the blue line ripples out" points to the larger systemic issues of corruption within law enforcement.
The bridge of the song again suggests that those in power do not truly represent or understand the perspectives of those they are supposed to serve. The lyrics criticize the religious leaders who also act as prosecutors and who endorse executions. The phrase "silently loud" suggests that even though some people may feel silenced, their voices still have power.
Overall, the song is a powerful call to action to speak out against injustice, corruption, and complacency.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand up
Take action and fight for what you believe in
'Cause you are standing for nothing
Without taking any action, you're not making a difference
Just shut up
Stop talking and start doing
'Cause your words mean nothing
Talking without action is ineffective
Everyone is at each other's throats
People are fighting against each other instead of uniting
Everyone thinking that they know things that they don't know
People are making assumptions instead of understanding each other
Everyone painting the third coat on the wall of belief
People are reinforcing their beliefs instead of expanding their knowledge
Send me relief
Asking for relief from the chaos and conflict
When I call the police will they just kill me?
Questioning the justice system and its treatment towards certain groups
Will they just kill you?
Expressing the common fear of being targeted by the police based on race, ethnicity or gender
When I call the police will they just protect me 'cause I'm white skinned too?
Highlighting the racial imbalance in the justice system
Every time you talk the system knows
The government is monitoring and controlling people's every move
Everywhere you walk the cameras go
People are being watched at all times
Everything I say you already know
Privacy is being invaded and information is being collected without consent
Everything that's safe's about to blow
The current state of society is volatile and unpredictable
Way back before Jim Crow
Referencing racial discrimination and segregation in the past
Stand up
Take action and fight for what you believe in
'Cause you are standing for nothing
Without taking any action, you're not making a difference
Just shut up
Stop talking and start doing
'Cause your words mean nothing
Talking without action is ineffective
Everybody stares like I'm just my gender
Being discriminated against based on gender identity
I'm a living soul with my own agenda
Asserting individuality and autonomy
Tell me, how you are the priest and the prosecution
Questioning the morality and fairness of those in power
Angel of a God who loves executions
Calling attention to the hypocrisy of those who claim to be doing good but are actually perpetuating violence
Corruption in the blue line ripples out
Police corruption and misconduct affects the whole society
Eruption in the streets bring the few and proud
Protesting and speaking out can be empowering for individuals
Attention when your knees fall to the ground
Making a statement and drawing attention to injustices by kneeling in protest
Silently loud
Powerful protest without the need for words
Stand up
Take action and fight for what you believe in
'Cause you are standing for nothing
Without taking any action, you're not making a difference
Just shut up
Stop talking and start doing
'Cause your words mean nothing
Talking without action is ineffective
Every day that passes I'm angrier
Growing anger towards the injustices and inequalities in society
Every time the cops get a hall pass, build another barrier
The justice system creates more barriers to equality when they are not held accountable for their actions
Now it's stereotypical
Prejudice and stereotypes continue to affect and harm marginalized groups
No I'm not cynical
Rejecting cynicism and continuing to fight for change
Political hypocritical
Highlighting the hypocrisy of political leaders who don't follow through on their promises
If you walked a mile in my shoes
Encouraging empathy and understanding of other people's experiences
You'd probably take 'em off wouldn't you?
Recognizing that it can be difficult to truly relate to experiences that are vastly different from our own
If you had to live in my truth
Acknowledging the unique struggles and difficult experiences of marginalized groups
You'd probably tell a lie wouldn't you?
Highlighting the temptation to lie or ignore the hard truths of inequality and oppression
Stand up
Take action and fight for what you believe in
Stand for nothing
Not standing for anything is as detrimental as standing for something negative
Nothing
Empty action or talk has no value
You stand for nothing
Without taking any action or standing up for anything, you are not making a difference
Stand up
Take action and fight for what you believe in
'Cause you stand for nothing
Without taking any action, you're not making a difference
Just shut up
Stop talking and start doing
'Cause your words mean nothing
Talking without action is ineffective
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dan Reynolds, Eren Cannata, Justin Tranter, Shea Diamond, Simone Cogo, Tom Morello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Larrywerther
I love how serj sings at the minute 2:47. He is very good!
CoronaGuy
2:47
Bartholomule01
I love Serj. He is so awesome he can look at a lyrics sheet while performing live. Bob Marley's original is awesome too. I have the Legend album.
Chris Dunn
1. Serj reading the lyrics lmao 2. Serj trying to put a reggae twist in his singing 3. Flea wanting to headbang and go crazy the entire song
Leo
I love the bass play of Flea I love System of a down, John D and Serj I love Rage, Tom Morello Dream team.... although i dont know Kramer
Gabi S.
The best cover of get up, stand up i have ever heard.. rip Bob.
mee sou
in defense of Serj:it's not common knowledge,to know the lyrics of all Bob Marley songs,and there was a LOT OF JAMMING on this concert:so Serj did know the song of course,but needed help.His singing is awesome,there wouldn't be many better persons to sing this song,if he knew the lyrics.I love these pepole. :) peace - greetings from Hungary
spoon149
Holy shit If Serj just learned that song , that just goes to show how fucking awsome he is
Naassom Silva
Serj eh FODAAAAUM!!!
hayn08
omg its cool to see reggae is making its rounds, finally