Don't Take It Lyin' Down
The Dooleys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All of your life
You have been been led around like a baby
Cheated and treated
Like no grown-up woman should be

Honey, now the time has come
To let him know that you ain't done
That you had enough, had enough

Oh, this is what you've gotta do
Listen, girl, I'm telling you

Don't take it lying down
(Don't take it lying down) no, no, no
(No, no, no) don't take it lying down
(Don't take it lying down) no, no, no
Play with fire, got to learn

Everyone's telling you, girl
You just got to be crazy
Oh, how can you stay with that guy
When he's fooling around?

Honey, you have been abused
Don't let him walk all over you
Ain't you had enough, oh, had enough
So if I'm gonna be your man (Be my man)
This time you gotta make a stand

Don't take it lying down
(Don't take it lying down) no, no, no
(No, no, no) don't take it lying down
(Don't take it lying down) no, no, no
Play with fire, got to learn
Honey, now the time has come
To let him know that you ain't done
That you had enough, had enough
Oh, this is what you've gotta do
Listen, girl, I'm telling you

Don't take it lying down
(Don't take it lying down) no, no, no
(No, no, no) don't take it lying down
(Don't take it lying down) no, no, no
(No, no, no)

Don't take it lying down
(Don't take it lying down) no, no, no
(No, no, no) don't take it lying down
(Don't take it lying down)
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no

Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down

Don't take it lying down
Don't take it lying down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Don't Take It Lying Down" by The Dooleys convey a message of empowerment and self-assertion for a woman who has been mistreated and taken advantage of in a relationship. The song begins by acknowledging the unfair treatment the woman has endured throughout her life, being led around like a child and not given the respect that an adult woman deserves. It emphasizes that now is the time for her to stand up for herself and make it clear that she will no longer accept being treated poorly.

The chorus serves as a rallying cry, urging the woman to not passively accept her circumstances but instead to fight back against the mistreatment she has endured. It emphasizes the importance of playing with fire and learning from the experience, suggesting that she needs to take risks and assert her independence. The lyrics express disbelief that she has stayed with a partner who has been unfaithful and questions why she would continue to tolerate such behavior.

The song emphasizes the need for the woman to break free from the cycle of abuse and not allow herself to be walked all over. It encourages her to declare that she has had enough and make a stand for herself. The lyrics assert that if the singer is going to be her partner, she needs to make a firm decision and stand up against the mistreatment she has experienced.

Overall, "Don't Take It Lying Down" is a song about recognizing one's worth, refusing to be a victim, and taking control of one's own destiny in the face of mistreatment and abuse.

Line by Line Meaning

All of your life
Throughout your entire life

You have been been led around like a baby
You have been guided and manipulated as if you were a helpless child

Cheated and treated
Deceived and mistreated

Like no grown-up woman should be
In a way that is unacceptable for an adult woman

Honey, now the time has come
Sweetheart, it is now the appropriate moment

To let him know that you ain't done
To inform him that you are not finished or willing to tolerate it anymore

That you had enough, had enough
That you have reached your limit, your breaking point

Oh, this is what you've gotta do
Oh, this is what you have to do

Listen, girl, I'm telling you
Pay attention, girl, I am advising you

Don't take it lying down
Do not accept it without resistance

(Don't take it lying down) no, no, no
(Do not accept it without resistance) no, no, no

(No, no, no) don't take it lying down
(No, no, no) do not accept it without resistance

(Don't take it lying down) no, no, no
(Do not accept it without resistance) no, no, no

Play with fire, got to learn
Engage in risky behavior and face the consequences in order to gain knowledge

Everyone's telling you, girl
Everyone is advising you, girl

You just got to be crazy
You must be insane

Oh, how can you stay with that guy
Oh, how can you remain in a relationship with that man

When he's fooling around?
While he is being unfaithful?

Honey, you have been abused
Sweetheart, you have been mistreated

Don't let him walk all over you
Do not allow him to treat you poorly and take advantage of you

Ain't you had enough, oh, had enough
Haven't you reached your limit, oh, your breaking point

So if I'm gonna be your man (Be my man)
So if I'm going to be your partner (Be my partner)

This time you gotta make a stand
This time you have to take a firm position

(No, no, no)
(No, no, no)