The Call Up

Album: Sandinista! (1980)
Play Video
  • It's up to you not to heed the call-up
    'N' you must not act the way you were brought up
    Who knows the reasons why you have grown up?
    Who knows the plans or why they were drawn up?

    It's up to you not to heed the call-up
    I don't want to die!
    It's up to you not to hear the call-up
    I don't want to kill!

    For he who will die
    Is he who will kill

    Maybe I want to see the wheat fields
    Over Kiev and down to the sea

    All the young people down the ages
    They gladly marched off to die
    Proud city fathers used to watch them
    Tears in their eyes

    There is a rose that I want to live for
    Although, God knows, I may not have met her
    There is a dance an' I should be with her
    There is a town - unlike any other

    It's up to you not to hear the call-up
    'N' you must not act the way you were brought up
    Who give you work an' why should you do it?
    At fifty five minutes past eleven
    There is a rose...
    Yeah! Writer/s: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, TOPPER HEADON
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Bruce from Australia I always thought “the rose” was a reference to The English Rose
  • Zabadak from London, EnglandThis reached #40 in the UK
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.