Stand Up Lyrics
I been walkin' with my face turned to the sun
Weight on my shoulders, a bullet in my gun
Oh, I got eyes in the back of my head just in case I have to run
I do what I can when I can while I can for my people
While the clouds roll back and the stars fill the night
[Chorus]
That's when I'm gonna stand up
Take my people with me
Together we are going to a brand new home
Far across the river
Can you hear freedom calling?
Calling me to answer
Gonna keep on keepin' on
I can feel it in my bones
[Verse 2]
Early in the mornin' before the sun begins to shine
Gonna start movin' towards that separating line
I'm wading through muddy waters, you know I got a made-up mind
And I don't mind if I lose any blood on the way to salvation
And I'll fight with the strength that I got until I die
[Chorus]
So I'm gonna stand up
Take my people with me
Together we are going to a brand new home
Far across the river
Can you hear freedom calling?
Calling me to answer
Gonna keep on keepin' on
And I know what's around the bend
Might be hard to face 'cause I'm alone
And I just might fail, but Lord knows I tried
Sure as stars fill up the sky
[Chorus]
Stand up
Take my people with me
Together we are going to a brand new home
Far across the river
Can you hear freedom calling?
Calling me to answer
Gonna keep on keepin' on
I'm gonna stand up
Take my people with me
Together we are going to a brand new home
Far across the river
Do you hear freedom calling?
Calling me to answer
Gonna keep on keepin' on
I'm gonna stand up
Take my people with me
Together we are going to a brand new home
Far across the river
I hear freedom calling
Calling me to answer
Gonna keep on keepin' on
I can feel it in my bones
About
“Stand Up” was written by Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Campbell for the ending credits of “Harriet,” a newly released biographical film on Harriet Tubman. Erivo stars as Harriet Tubman and was inspired to team up with Campbell after the performance of his original song, “Sing Out, March On” at Harvard’s 2018 Commencement ceremony went viral.
This rousing civil rights anthem is truly moving and works to tell the story of a women whose courage, creativity, determination, compassion, and morality freed hundreds of slaves from captivity.Harriet Tubman was born a slave in Dorchester County, Maryland around 1820. She began working as a house servant at around 5 or 6 years old. At 12 or 13 she was sent to fields. In 1844 she married a free black man named John Tubman. In 1849 after hearing that she and others were going to be sold she resolved to run away. She arrived in Philly where she began to work and make money. A year later she returned to Maryland where she rescued her sister and her sister’s two children, which would become the first of almost twenty journeys back to the south to rescue and lead slaves to freedom. For more biographical information:
Q&A
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