Somewhere overhead
Distant thunder roars
The revolution has begun
The war to end all wars

As I welcome death
I hear the battle cry
Bullets fall like fire
Raining from the sky

The rebel in us all
Someday gets tired of being pushed around
But freedom has a price
The cost is buried in the ground

We suffered far too long
We gather now growing stronger
We will not be ignored
Anymore any longer
Our anthem will guide us

Rise up, be counted
Stand strong and unite
Wait for the outcry
Resistance is calling tonight

Far too many years
Of chaos and unrest
Far too many voices
Brutally suppressed

We fight for what is just
For all that we believe
We fight till death or glory
Fight to be set free

The streets are bathed in blood
Time to step down and time to walk away
You'll never rule me now
Though you may stand upon my grave

You can look the other way
Or you can face the light
Although it seems so far away
Freedom's worth the fight

Rise up, be counted
Stand strong and unite
Wait for the outcry
Resistance is calling

Rise up, be counted
Stand strong and unite
Wait for the outcry
Resistance is calling tonight

The world watches on
While we risk our lives
Locked in a kingdom of fear
As our children die


Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by Octavarium64

Outcry Lyrics as written by John Petrucci John Myung

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Outcry song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • 0
    Song MeaningQuote from JP himself;
    “After the intro, the theme kicks in. The way it made me envision flying through the air in slow motion really influenced the lyrics, which are about the uprisings in the Middle East, people fighting against oppression.”
    Icipheron September 13, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt's funny you say that because it sounds more like it was written about World War I when it says "The war to end all wars". Guess we have to take his word though right?
    corerulezon September 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI love everything about this song, and the first time I heard it, it made me think of all the recent uprisings.
    kristyfreeon October 02, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentBeing a fan of Dream Theater from Iran, I'm really glad that JP takes notice in things that we've been through these past few years, even if it's just an assumption! :D
    aminsametion October 04, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentLove this line: You´ll never rule me now, though you may stand upon my grave! Powerful words!
    Didlydooon October 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song MeaningThis song is obviously about how the Canadians don't get any recognition for anything they do, so James LaBrie is sending hidden messages through this song to all the Canadians around the world to revolt against the rest of the countries. It makes sense if you don't think aboot it.
    darklink59on August 11, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSong about the uprisings in the middle east. Therefore in the instrumental part of the song there are some very arabic sounding parts to it.
    AndresFLon February 09, 2014   Link

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