Stand Up – English Lyrics

• By: Cynthia Erivo

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the inspiring story and powerful message behind Cynthia Erivo's "Stand Up." Learn how this anthem of resilience, written for the film *Harriet*, captures the spirit of Harriet Tubman and inspires listeners to stand up for freedom and justice. Discover the rich history and emotional depth embedded in the lyrics, and understand why this song resonates with so many .

[English]

I been walking

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

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

Early in the mornin'

Before the sun begins to shine

We're gonna start movin'

Towards that separating line

I'm wadin' 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

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

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

I go to prepare a place for you

I go to prepare a place for you

I go to prepare a place for you

I go to prepare a place for you

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
walk /wɔːk/ A2	verb - to move forward by putting one foot in front of the other
face /feɪs/ B1	noun - the front part of the head, including the eyes, nose, and mouth verb - to confront or deal with something
shoot /ʃuːt/ B2	verb - to fire a gun or weapon
eye /aɪ/ A2	noun - the organ of sight in humans and animals
stand /stænd/ B1	verb - to be in an upright position on your feet
home /hoʊm/ A2	noun - the place where one lives
river /ˈrɪvər/ B1	noun - a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ B2	noun - the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants
answer /ˈænsər/ A2	verb - to say, write, or do something as a reaction
keep /kiːp/ A2	verb - to continue doing something
feel /fiːl/ A2	verb - to experience an emotion or physical sensation
dream /driːm/ B2	noun - a series of images or thoughts during sleep verb - to imagine as a future possibility
fight /faɪt/ B2	verb - to use physical force to try to force someone to stop what they are doing

Key Grammar Structures

• I been walking

  ➔ present perfect continuous tense

  ➔ "been walking" indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing.

• Weight on my shoulders

  ➔ noun phrase indicating burden or responsibility

  ➔ The phrase describes feeling burdened or responsible.

• A bullet in my gun

  ➔ noun phrase with indefinite article and prepositional phrase

  ➔ Describes having a weapon ready, symbolizing readiness or danger.

• Just in case I have to run

  ➔ conditional clause with 'just in case'

  ➔ 'Just in case' introduces a precaution or preparation for a possible future event.

• Might be hard to face

  ➔ modal verb + base verb to express possibility

  ➔ 'Might be' expresses possibility that something will be difficult.

• I go to prepare a place for you

  ➔ simple present tense for future intention, especially in formal or poetic language

  ➔ Using the present tense to refer to a future action, often in a poetic or formal context.

• I hear freedom calling

  ➔ present simple tense to describe a current perception or feeling

  ➔ The present tense describes an immediate perception or ongoing feeling.