Spilling Currency
Rising Voices of Revolution: The Struggle for Justice and Equality
Lyrics
From the streets of Selma
Referring to the city of Selma, possibly symbolizing a starting point or origin.
To Birmingham
Extending the reference to Birmingham, indicating a progression or journey.
To their monuments
Highlighting significant landmarks or symbols representing the struggle.
We rose en masse
Describing a collective uprising, suggesting a united and massive movement.
A voice of revolt
Emphasizing a rebellious vocal expression against oppression.
The voices of
Suggesting that multiple voices contribute to the call for revolution.
Revolution
Affirming the theme of revolution, a widespread call for change.
No army can withstand the strength
Stating the formidable power of an idea whose time has come.
Of an idea who's time has come
Reflecting on the historical impact of timely and powerful ideas.
Our history tells us that
Acknowledging the lessons from history that inspire collective action.
We must rise up
Encouraging a collective uprising in response to historical lessons.
What Goodman, Chaney, and Schwerner
Mentioning individuals (Goodman, Chaney, Schwerner) who sacrificed for a cause.
Gave their lives for
Specifying the sacrifice made for a dream or ideal.
The dream that Evers, King, and X
Referring to Evers, King, and X as symbols of sacrifice for a shared dream.
Lay dead for
Highlighting the tragic outcomes faced by those advocating for change.
That we could
Expressing the aspiration to transcend collective wrongdoing.
Be more than the sum of our evils
Reiterating the desire to overcome the negative aspects of collective identity.
Our history tells us that
Reemphasizing the historical imperative for a collective uprising.
We must rise up
Reiterating the call for a united movement against injustice.
To destroy
Advocating for the destruction of unjust systems or structures.
That which is unjust
Connecting the act of raising voices to challenging injustice.
We raised our voices and
Describing a response to injustice through vocal expression.
The outspoken were gunned down
Highlighting the danger faced by those who speak out against injustice.
Yeah, we'll pay with our lives
Anticipating the cost of resistance, including potential loss of lives.
To destroy yours
Asserting the willingness to sacrifice lives to dismantle unjust systems.
We paid with our lives
Recalling a historical generation that paid a high price for their resistance.
A generation removed
Highlighting the lasting impact and consequences for future generations.
To this day
Indicating a continued struggle and resistance in the present day.
You try to erase our history
Accusing attempts to erase or distort the historical narrative of the struggle.
Soften the punches
Describing efforts to downplay the impact of resistance and struggle.
And bury the fear you held
Referring to attempts to conceal the fear held by those in power.
That we would win
Asserting the confidence in the ultimate victory of the struggle for justice.
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