You say you always treat people like you'd like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
About what you believe, make you sound like a freak

'Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn't be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn't silence your concern when the liars speak
Denying all the dying of the remedy

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

If I can tell what's in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straights is all it's all about
Yeah, it looks like being hated for all the wrong things
And chasing the wind while the pendulum swings

We can talk and debate it till we're blue in the face
About the language and tradition that He's coming to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don't give a shit
About fifty-thousand people who are dying today

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

Brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

Tell me, what matters more to you?
Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?


Lyrics submitted by jamesjr, edited by tightwitjc

What Matters More song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    Should be "Wouldn't silently consent when the liars speak"

    arryqon August 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I have some weird inner conflict with this kind of calling out people, but part of me wants to stand up and scream HELL yeah, Derek!

    Maybe not the best attitude, but still, part of me loves this song so much.

    blainesledgeon November 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    and arryq is right

    and

    Denying all the dying or the remedy

    should be

    Denying all the dying of a remedy

    blainesledgeon November 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    The thing about the S word in this song is that its there to prove a point not just to make people mad (although if they get more mad about the word shit, then that proves his point). Its an idea taken from Tony Campolo who said:

    "I have three things to say today. 1st: While you were sleeping last night 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. 2nd: Most of you don’t give a shit. 3rd: What’s worse is that you are more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."

    It speaks for itself and its interesting that it comes after his lines about talking and debating. Should we spend forever talking and debating about homosexuality? Should we talk and debate about the S word? or should we be more concerned with things that really matter?

    reytimon March 04, 2010   Link

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