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Arise Lyrics

So I clamber off
Into a realm
Of what's possible
Give us a look
So we may show
The animal
He wants you to know

You either fail or you rise
And reach to other worlds
Right through the needle's eye
Come take your first look inside

Like a fool caught red-handed
To play out as they wish
I'd take a life of raw emotion
Than a life of content till death
Well, at least you'd owe
No apologies for starters
Go and seek yourself

You either fail or you rise
And reach to other worlds
Right through the needle's eye
Come take your first look inside
Arise our fate is all we know
A fate we all would change
So aim that dirty look at

This one's almost always a given
Listen to its heartbeat
Listen
You
No sign of life
Watch you save up
To pay no mind
But it's better not to behave
Clever not to be changed by them
Better not to behave
Clever not to be changed

Arise
And reach to other worlds
Right through the needle's eye
Come take your first look inside
Arise
Our fate is all we know
(Rising up into another world)
A fate we all would change
(Rising up anew)
So aim that dirty look at

This one's always almost always a given
Listen to its heartbeat
This one, this one's almost always
Given, listen to its heartbeat
This one's done
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3 Meanings

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Cover art for Arise lyrics by Chevelle

♦it's about rising up against corruption and injustice while dealing with the constant suppression and censorship of the ideas you're trying to spread.

-"you bought the same old trip" - calling out the lobbyist/politician/corporate scumbag for choosing the corrupt lifestyle we have seen so many times before

-"you're perfect plan has come and gone" - we see through your lies

-"so innocent you're out of reach" - (sarcasm) these bigshots think their untouchable because they have friends in high places

-"time won't keep us anymore, it's the usefulness of letting go" - the people are tired of being held down, time to rise up

-so what if they got a nice smile and say happy things "you're no friend of mine"

-"sigh of relief inside of a dream" - politicians make big promises, BUT "we (they) all lie"

-"censor, censor" - be quiet little slave

My Interpretation

my bad. obviously for "same old trip." how do you delete this shit?

arise - pretty self explanatory song, it's about reaching your full potential as a human being. search for the true meaning of life and don't get bogged down in the negativism/materialism/shallowness of society. this is a common theme for Chevelle - think "Breach Birth", "Well Enough Alone", "Paint the Seconds", and "A New Momentum"

Not Valid
Cover art for Arise lyrics by Chevelle

Wealth issues abound throughout 'Hats Off to the Bull.' Here in 'Arise,' we see Pete's Catholic (!) approach to it.

The key is in the following lyrics:

"And reach to other worlds Right through the needle's eye Come take your first look inside"

Taken alone, "reach to other worlds" might just mean creativity or new political structures or whatever. The following verse is critical: "Right through the needle's eye." A subtle (eh, its subtlety is debatable) Biblical reference:

"Yes, I tell you again, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:24, Jerusalem Bible)

So, 'Arise' says something like the following: You can behold Heaven, the possibilities of creativity, love, and action, and the escape from death and finality ("Our fate is all we know [Rising up into another world] / A fate we would all change [Rising up anew]"), if you would just relinquish your excess wealth and worldly satisfaction. All you have to do is turn away, then you may get your "first look inside." It's up to you whether you "fail or rise." Of course, you might choose to fail, and if so, only one short sentence will be delivered on you: "This one's done."

Song Meaning
Cover art for Arise lyrics by Chevelle

This is all about standing up, letting go of the fear of failure and going after what you want most, and discovering who you are and your mettle in the process.