3 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Standing Up For Nothing Lyrics
I can't stop staring at myself
My face reflected in this empty plate
I can't decide if it's the devil
Or if it's just something I ate
'Cause he's been down there all morning
He's patiently waiting at my gate
He's throwing rocks at my window
"Hey won't you come on out and play with me"
And everyday when I get up
I see folks trading in their crowns
for all these paper or plastic lives
An opiate for the masses' hounds
And pride like a vestige of lives lost
The stench of the old folks coming around
Now with the news I heard today
I can't tell if this world is lost or found
You go, I'll be waiting here
And I'm awake, no I cannot sleep
So I'll sit upon this rock is You
I ain't standing up for nothing
I've never seen my congressman
But I can't deny that he exists
'Cause I've seen his legislation pass
I've seen his name on the ballot list
The same I can't deny this fallen world
Though not my home it's where I live
How can I preserve and light the way
for a world that I can't admit I'm in
'Cause I know who I say You are
But these crows can't be made to stop
So I'll sit denying by this fire
I ain't standing up for nothing
Lack of interest leads to
Lack of knowledge leads to
Lack of perspective leads to
Lack of communication leads to
Lack of understanding leads to
Lack of concern leads to
This complacency denotes
This approval denies
The truth
But I can't stop staring at myself
It's my face reflected in this empty plate
And I know that it's the devil
So You lead I'll be close behind
So You speak I'll hang on Your words
You've got to lift me from this hardened tree
'Cause I ain't standing up for nothing
My face reflected in this empty plate
I can't decide if it's the devil
Or if it's just something I ate
'Cause he's been down there all morning
He's patiently waiting at my gate
He's throwing rocks at my window
"Hey won't you come on out and play with me"
I see folks trading in their crowns
for all these paper or plastic lives
An opiate for the masses' hounds
And pride like a vestige of lives lost
The stench of the old folks coming around
Now with the news I heard today
I can't tell if this world is lost or found
And I'm awake, no I cannot sleep
So I'll sit upon this rock is You
I ain't standing up for nothing
But I can't deny that he exists
'Cause I've seen his legislation pass
I've seen his name on the ballot list
The same I can't deny this fallen world
Though not my home it's where I live
How can I preserve and light the way
for a world that I can't admit I'm in
But these crows can't be made to stop
So I'll sit denying by this fire
I ain't standing up for nothing
Lack of knowledge leads to
Lack of perspective leads to
Lack of communication leads to
Lack of understanding leads to
Lack of concern leads to
This complacency denotes
This approval denies
The truth
It's my face reflected in this empty plate
And I know that it's the devil
So You speak I'll hang on Your words
You've got to lift me from this hardened tree
'Cause I ain't standing up for nothing
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
in 5.. almost 6 years why has nobody commented on this song??? this is one of THE very best songs written by Derek Webb.
It's about his lack taking of a stance on politics. Through out the song it makes many references to the story of Peter denying Jesus. He sees himself being like Peter, in that he is to proud of himself to admit that he may sin like the others. Pride that cause peter to deny Jesus 3 times. This connection between pride and politics is a bit confusing but they're clearly there through out the song. Perhaps he's too proud of thinking he's not sinful and doesn't want to promote something sinful by compromising his beliefs (like one must in choosing political sides).
And i don't mean choosing just ONE political side for everything because that is something Derek is certainly not promoting.
It’s not just this song. It’s many songs. I’ve got a good dozen Caedmons songs with verses that have me shaking my head confused and no for the life of me, I cannot understand. I wish I could find one person that would explain to me several songs I don’t understand.