INTRO - 8 bars] Drums: Floor tom, kick, steady build. Clean arpeggiated guitar Em - C - G - D Then FULL BAND CRASH on the last D [VERSE 1 - Low, gritty, close to mic] Em C We used to argue, free and loud G D In classrooms, on the courthouse steps, in crowds Em C We had a press that could speak the truth G D We had a vote that still counted as proof Em C Now look what they're taking day by day G D Books off the shelves, rights stripped away C D They tell us to whisper, tell us to wait Em - hold - But waiting is how freedom breaks! [PRE-CHORUS - Bass + drums only, building] C D You feel it slipping through your hands Em D You feel that cold wind coming again [CHORUS - Full open, gang vocals, crash cymbals] Em C G D Stand UP! Show UP! Before it's too late! Em C G D This is not a drill, this is not fate! C D Em C They want your silence, they want your fear C D Em They win if you disappear! Em C G D We still have the power in our hands! Em C G D One voice, one vote, where we STAND! C D Em - Em - Em - Em - Oh future's knocking at the gate Em! Get up and VOTE! [VERSE 2 - Add distorted rhythm guitar, double-time hi-hat] Em C You see the pattern, don't look away G D First they come for them, then for the free press Em C First they jail the ones who dissent G D Then they say the leader can never be questioned Em C No more checks, no more balance, just one man on a stage G D Calling revenge justice, calling cruelty brave C D This is how it starts in every authoritarian state You don't notice the cage till you CAN'T ESCAPE! [CHORUS - Bigger, add octave guitar] Em C G D Stand UP! Show UP! Before it's too late! Em C G D This is not a drill, this is not fate! C D Em C They want your silence, they want your fear C D Em They win if you disappear! Em C G D We still have the power in our hands! Em C G D One voice, one vote, where we STAND! C D Oh future's knocking at the gate Get up and vote - before it's too late! [BRIDGE - HALF-TIME, HUGE] Drop to just kick, piano, and vocal - then guitars swell in Am C What will you tell your children when they ask G D Where were you when they came for the last? Am C Did you think someone else would save the day? G D - stop - Or did you stand and say... [BREAKDOWN CHANT - All drums, crowd vocals] Em - C - G - D (chant over it) WE! WILL! NOT! BOW! WE! WILL! NOT! BREAK! WE! WILL! NOT! SELL! OUR FUTURE FOR HATE! WE REMEMBER WHAT WE ALMOST LOST AND WE WILL VOTE, WHATEVER THE COST! [FINAL CHORUS - Key change up to F#m, full choir, everything open] F#m D A E Stand UP! Show UP! Before it's too late! F#m D A E This is the moment we can't waste! D E F#m D They want your silence, they want your fear D E F#m We will be counted, we will be HERE! F#m D A E We still have the power in our hands! F#m D A E One voice, one vote, across this land! D E F#m History's watching at the gate D E F#m - ring out - Get up and vote - before it's too late! F#m! Get up and vote - before it's too late! [OUTRO] Feedback on Em. Drummer on floor tom. Fade on "before it's too late..."
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