In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
There's a waking of a rainbow dawn
And the sun will rise up high
There's a whisper in the morning light
Saying get up and meet the day
Well, inside my mind there is a tribal voice
And it's speaking to me every day
And all I have to do is to make a choice
'Cause I know there is no other way
All the people in the world are dreaming (get up, stand up)
Some of us cry, cry, cry for the rights of survival now (get up, stand up)
Saying c'mon, c'mon, stand up for your rights (get up, stand up)
While others don't give a damn
They're all waiting for a perfect day
So you better get up and fight for your rights
Don't be afraid of the move you make
You better listen to your tribal voice
All the people in the world are dreaming (get up, stand up)
Some of us cry, cry, cry for the rights of survival now (get up, stand up)
Saying c'mon, c'mon, stand up for your rights (get up, stand up)
While others don't give a damn
They're all waiting for a perfect day
You better get up and fight for your rights
Don't be afraid of the move you make
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
Well I wonder if it's part of history
Full of influence and mystery
From the spirits of my people
Who have just gone before
Into future of another day
All the people in the world are dreaming (get up, stand up)
Some of us cry, cry, cry for the rights of survival now (get up, stand up)
Saying c'mon, c'mon, stand up for your rights (get up, stand up)
While others don't give a damn
They are all waiting for a perfect day
You better get up and fight for your rights
Don't be afraid of the move that you make
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
And the sun will rise up high
There's a whisper in the morning light
Saying get up and meet the day
Well, inside my mind there is a tribal voice
And it's speaking to me every day
And all I have to do is to make a choice
'Cause I know there is no other way
All the people in the world are dreaming (get up, stand up)
Some of us cry, cry, cry for the rights of survival now (get up, stand up)
Saying c'mon, c'mon, stand up for your rights (get up, stand up)
While others don't give a damn
They're all waiting for a perfect day
So you better get up and fight for your rights
Don't be afraid of the move you make
You better listen to your tribal voice
All the people in the world are dreaming (get up, stand up)
Some of us cry, cry, cry for the rights of survival now (get up, stand up)
Saying c'mon, c'mon, stand up for your rights (get up, stand up)
While others don't give a damn
They're all waiting for a perfect day
You better get up and fight for your rights
Don't be afraid of the move you make
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
Well I wonder if it's part of history
Full of influence and mystery
From the spirits of my people
Who have just gone before
Into future of another day
All the people in the world are dreaming (get up, stand up)
Some of us cry, cry, cry for the rights of survival now (get up, stand up)
Saying c'mon, c'mon, stand up for your rights (get up, stand up)
While others don't give a damn
They are all waiting for a perfect day
You better get up and fight for your rights
Don't be afraid of the move that you make
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
You better listen to your tribal voice (get up, stand up)
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Tribal Voice Lyrics as written by Mandawuy Bakamana Yunupingu
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.