I'm calling out
Only echoes respond
But I scream 'til my voice is gone
Crouching in corners and hiding your face
I'm sick and tired of playing your games

I'm not alone
I stand amongst the voiceless
Millions in the unforgiving sun

Here arm-in-arm
We parade these streets
And sing our songs (and sing our songs)

We've had enough
Is there even anything left to explain? (We've had enough)
Am I really someone you need to restrain? (We've had enough)
Can't you listen to what we have to say? (We've had enough)

Unknowing, we lie and wait for the rain
To wash away what they have made
Face down in the dirt with your foot on my back
In the distance I hear thunder crack

C'mon stand up!
This system of power and privilege is about to come to an end
Here come the clouds
The first drop is falling down (falling down)

We've had enough
Is there even anything left to explain? (We've had enough)
Am I really someone you need to restrain? (We've had enough)
Can't you listen to what we have to say? (We've had enough)

Our futures burn in red horizons
Ashes scattered in winds of change
Casualty numbers are rising
Now it's time to raise the stakes

We're meant for something more than living just to put food on our plates
I can't help but wonder--why should we participate?

We've had enough
Is there even anything left to explain? (We've had enough)
Am I really someone you need to restrain? (We've had enough)
Can't you listen to what we have to say? (We've had enough)



Lyrics submitted by daewoodund33

Track duration: 02:39

"The First Drop" as written by Joseph Principe, Timothy Mcilrath, Brandon Barnes, Christopher Chasse

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


The First Drop song meanings
Add your thoughts

13 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment:i feel an important theme missed by interpretation is the allegories used pertaining to protest and how too often police put down protesters who arent violent.
    "Here arm-in-arm
    We parade these streets
    And sing our songs

    Is there even anything left to explain?
    Am I really someone you need to restrain?
    Can’t you listen to what we have to say?"

    i think this song is more about how we, the voicless millions, ought to be protesting not just the government but the way of life. the life offered should be more than just putting food on our plates, and otherwise we should be trying to change things if that's all our lives are.
    Flag aardvarkscanflyon September 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I hate how you guys overanalyze these lyrics. Rise Against's lyrics are very to the point, which is cool. Anyway, why on earth don't they open their shows with this?
    Flag tjtech12on February 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I was reading "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and found that this song may be completely from this one passage from it.

    I don't know if I can type it because of copywrite stuff, but the chapter is the one where Injun Jones is about to get crushed in the cave (near the end), and it talks about the first drop is what ended civilizations (some fancy philosopher stuff from Mark Twain). I don't quite remember though.
    Flag ndudeon November 05, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:First Of All I want to Say That I hate how people Go to a website of Song meanings and just tell us How much they like the song. Rediculous.
    This Song in my opinion is about how society conforms and does what the government wants us to do. Just live to put food on our plates. They have their foot on our back meaning that they are in control but society has had enough, we are seeking them now, we are in the streets we are calling there names and they are scared. I guess this quote says it all "This system of power and privilege is about to come to an end" Well thats my interpretation..sounds pretty similar to others.
    Flag Bosstoneon February 27, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:The song is about how the system is set up. The rich thrive and prosper off of your taxes , off of your paychecks, and your consumerism while the middle class pays for everything and suffers.

    "I can't help but wonder why we should participate?"

    If you are working just survive from pay check to pay check what kind of life is that? Is that freedom? Or is that just conforming to what the rich want, to what the government wants each of us to do, to what society says? The singer understands he's not alone but there is too many gutless people out there that won't speak out, who are not willing to change the system.
    Flag Nick2703on January 08, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Here's my view on the song:

    "I’m calling out
    Only echoes respond
    But I scream ‘til my voice is gone"

    He is screaming, trying to get his message across, but no one is responding, hence the echoing.

    "Crouching in corners and hiding your face
    I’m sick and tired of playing your games"

    The people crouching in the corner are Americans who are ignorant, and that he is tired of trying to follow the norm.

    "I’m not alone
    I stand amongst the voiceless
    Millions in the unforgiving sun"

    He isn't the only one who belives this, there is also the silent majority who are afraid of speaking out against the government.

    "Here arm-in-arm
    We parade these streets
    And sing our songs"

    He rallies the silent majority together, and gets them to speak out and voice their opinions.
    Flag Ionianon June 20, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I really love this whole album, it's about standing up for yourself and voicing your opinions. It encourages you to be politically aware and make your voice heard.
    Flag kmk_natashaon November 05, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song sounds like some kind of revolution is gonna happen... i like the first verse a ton!! rise against rox
    Flag nubus200xon March 13, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:not the lyrics, the music
    Flag trsskatr7on February 19, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:- the singing, this song reminds me of afi...
    Flag trsskatr7on February 19, 2005   Link

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!

Back to top
explain