Get Up Stand Up by Bob Marley (1973)

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A reggae song, Get Up, Stand Up is a song from reggae singer Bob Marley. The song was written by Marley and Peter Tosh, which originally appeared on the Wallers album Burnin’ in 1973. In the same year, Get Up, Stand UP reached number 33 on the Dutch Top 40, and peaked at number 49 in New Zealand. [1]

Key Lyrics

Ey, 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!

Preacher man, don't tell me

Heaven is under the earth

I know you don't know

What life is really worth

It's not all that glitters is gold

Half the story has never been told

And now you see the light

You stand up for your rights [2]

Black Empowerment

The song tells a story about taking action to avoid oppression, influenced by upbringing in Jamaica, where they had to fight for respect for their Rastafarian religion. [3]

The song persuades people to open their eyes, "Now you see the light," how appearances can fool one’s vision "half the story has never been told." Marley, throughout this song, believes that the society controls people/community. [4]

References

  1. Get Up, Stand Up. wikipedia.org. Retrieved January 24, 2021
  2. Bob Marley and the Wailers – Get Up, Stand Up. songmeanings.com. Retrieved January 24, 2021
  3. Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley & the Wailers. songfacts.com. Retrieved January 24, 2021
  4. Get Up, Stand Up. wikipedia.org. Retrieved January 24, 2021