Protest Song

Bob Marley- Get Up Stand Up

Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight
Preacher man no tell me
Heaven is under the earth
I know you don't know
What life is really worth
Isn't all that glitter is gold
Half the story had never been told
So now you see the light
You stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight
Most people think
Great God will come from the sky
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high
But if you know what life is worth
You would look for yours on earth
And now you see the light
You stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight
We're sick and tired of your ism and skism game
Die 'n' go to heaven in the Jesus name, Lord
We know when we understand
Almighty God is a living man
You can fool some people sometimes
But you can't fool all the people all the time
So now you see the light
You stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up
Don't give up the fight

This song is protesting oppression. This oppression normally comes from governments and other authorities that dictate laws and rules for its people. Their law making can be unfair or highly unfavored by the masses yet, since they are the few in power they do what they please. This song addresses the issue by talking to the average citizens. Its an empowering song that's telling people to "get up stand up, stand up for your rights. get up stand up, don't give up the fight." The artist believes that everyone should fight for the rights they deserve and that their government should be giving them. "Most people think Great God will come from the sky Take away everything And make everybody feel high But if you know what life is worth You would look for yours on earth" This is a figurative or a symbolic line because it talks about not putting all of your issues into someone's hand so that they can fix them. Instead its saying to take matters into your own hands. I chose this song because Bob Marley was an artist known for the powerful messages in his songs so I knew this one would be a promising turn-out. The subject matter isn't directly significant to me because as a teen I feel my life is satisfactory and I don't particularly pay attention to polictics in a detailed manner so to me, everything seems to be fine. I know this song does relate to audiences that belong to the LGBT community whoare fighting for marriage rights. The simple yet meaningful hook and rhythm of its reggae style makes it a catchy song to be heard over-and-over again which can instill the message of the song into its listeners.
(314 words)