This song was written by Adam Thiesen, a movement leader with the IL Poor People's Campaign and the National Union of the Homeless. At the time he wrote the song he was living in Maine. This song is connected to a project of survival that Adam and Katie Thiesen were a part of in Maine.
Adam Thiesen
This song was written by Adam Thiesen, a movement leader with the IL Poor People’s Campaign and the National Union of the Homeless.
Lyrics:
When the people united get in step
Ain’t no hill too high for us to climb
Now too few have had too much for too long
I can’t think of any worse crime
(Chorus – after each verse)
We need people who stand up to get in step
Grab the bottom 1 2 3 and lift up
Lift up and look up to the lowly
Grab the bottom 1 2 3 and lift up
We got churches that feed people to feel good
We got people who got no place to sleep
Who need more than a meal and a handshake
Who need more than a smile that’s skin deep
(Chorus)
It’s not enough to stand up
We gotta move our feet to move up
Locked arms, lockstep we won’t back up
Grab the bottom 1 2 3 and lift up
