Stand

When I first came around, I saw so many open minds.
and when I read those words, I was so inspired
to question everything that I'd been taught,
and decide for myself what I really thought.

but now it seems we've got nothing to say
as our words get diluted each day.
and there's no more "punk" in "hardcore punk"
cause it's only cool to think one way.

our tongues are bleeding and our ears are burning
as we quit biting tongue only to talk shit.
and everyday we're turning people away
because they don't want any part of it.

whatever happened to "the music. the message."?
when we were more than words,
more than just three chords.
"were we ever really saying something"

it may have been naive
seeing this as a revolutionary scene.
but now I'm asking "what holds us apart"
if there's no discontent in our hearts?

I don't know when racism and sexism
became cool or acceptable.
we're too busy walking the fence,
too afraid to say that it's wrong.

it's easy to say that all we do is complain,
that our words don't bring about change.
But everyday I look in the mirror and see
the difference this music has made.

whatever happened to "the music. the message."?
when we were more than words,
more than just three chords.
"were we ever really saying something"

what about "what was said"
about abstaining from meat,
or staying straight edge?
...about standing behind your friends,
regardless of the color of their skin,
or what gender they take to bed?
...about admiring a person's heart,
not how many names they drop?

no more walking the fence,
I wanna know where we stand