Standing Up for Nothing?

I guess it's time to explain what this blog is about and what the title means.  "Standing Up for Nothing" is stolen from a song by one of my favorite bands, Caedmon's Call.  When used in the song, the phrase can be interpreted in a number of ways, which I think adds beauty to the songwriting.  According to caedmonscall.net :

Once, Derek was asked which of these three the lyric "I'm not standing up for nothing", means: "I AM standing for something" (or I will only stand for something), "I'm not standing for no reason", or "I’m NOT standing for something." Derek’s response was, "Yeah! I love writing lyrics that can go many ways..." So, we can see that the true meaning of this song is not entirely clear, probably not even to the author himself.  And certainly the implications have evolved over the years.

My personal use of the phrase means that "I'm not standing for no reason."  (see the subtitle of my blog)  I've posted the lyrics to the song, also available here.

Well, I can't stop staring at myself;
My face reflected in this empty plate.
I can't decide if it's the devil
Or if it's just something I ate.
'Cause he's been down there all morning.
He's patiently waiting at my gate.
He's throwing rocks at my window.
Hey won't you come on out and play with me?

But everyday when I get up
I see folks trading in their crowns
for all these paper or plastic lives;
An opiate for the masses hounds.
And pride, like a vestige of lives lost.
It's the stench of the old folks coming 'round.
Now with the news I heard today,
I can't tell if this world is lost or found.

You go; I'll be waiting here.
And I'm awake, I cannot sleep.
So I'll sit upon this rock is you.
I ain't standing up for nothing.

Well, I've never seen my congressman,
But I can't deny that he exists.
'Cause I've seen his legislation pass;
I've seen his name on the ballot list.
Same, I can't deny this fallen world.
Though not my home it's where I live.
How can I preserve and light the way
for a world that I can't admit I'm in?

'Cause I know who I say You are,
But these crows can't be made to stop.
So I'll sit denying by this fire
I ain't standing up for nothing

Lack of interest leads to,
Lack of knowledge leads to,
Lack of perspective leads to,
Lack of communication leads to,
Lack of understanding leads to,
Lack of concern leads to,
This complacency denotes,
This approval deniesThe truth.

I can't stop staring at myself;
It's my face reflected in this empty plate.
And I know that it's the devil.

So You lead; and I'll be close behind.
So You speak and I'll hang on Your words.
You've got to lift me from this hardened tree,
'Cause I ain't standing up for nothing

This song is on the self-titled record by Caedmon's Call.  Buy the CD and all other Caedmon's works at Grassrootsmusic.com.