The compositions included in Endgame, the sixth studio album by the American punk band Rise Against, touch upon important social and political issues that make us seriously think about the future of our planet. Lead singer Tim McIlrath said that the record is dedicated to “the end of humanity as we know it.” The most famous track of the album was the song Help Is on the Way .
The story of the song Help Is on the Way
Tim wrote it under the influence of what he saw in New Orleans, where he visited in 2010 during a break in the tour of the group. Shortly before this, the city was hit by Hurricane Katrina, followed by a giant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. McIlrath recalled:
I was in those swampy lands with a guy who talked about how important they are and the harm that has been done to them. And this happened just before the oil spill! I could vividly imagine how tears flowed from the eyes of that guy, like: “Are you kidding me? Kick us when we’re on the ground.”
Spin
Meaning of Help Is on the Way
Later, Tim said that the song is about any catastrophe that has happened in the world. And guitarist Zach Blair called Help Is on the Way their reaction to the behavior of people for whom such troubles are just one of the stories on the news on TV:
There was some help and support during an event like Katrina, but we think it wasn’t enough. It is simply one of the important events to pay attention to, like the adventures of Kim Kardashian. It’s in the news, and no one else pays attention to the real story. We’re just trying to say, “As long as your short attention span takes you somewhere else, it’s still going on.”
Gibson
Release and achievements
The song was released to the public in January 2011 on KROQ radio. A week later, she released the first single from Endgame. She hit several American charts at once, as well as charts in Canada and the UK.
Video of Help Is on the Way by Rise Against
The music video for Help Is on the Way was directed by Alan Ferguson. He gave the audience an opportunity to look at the consequences of the hurricane through the eyes of a family affected by the rampant elements.
Interesting Facts
- Speaking at The Electric Ballroom, Tim McIlrath dedicated the song to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
- Help Is on the Way was the band’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
Help Is On The Way Lyrics by Rise Against
I have my mother’s dreams,
I have my father’s eyes
You can’t take that from me
Just go ahead and try.
The crescent city sleeps
while giants in the sky
Preparing to unleash
Let loose a mighty cry.
Can nobody save us?
Will anyone try?
the bayou is burning,
The cypress is dying.
And all along they’re saying.
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
One by land, two by sea.
right there in front of me.
Help is on the way.
Five thousand feet below
As black smoke engulfs the sky
The ocean floor explodes,
Eleven mothers cry.
My bones all resonate
A burning lullaby
You can’t take that from me
Just go ahead and try.
She stands at the shoreline
With hands in the air
Her words pierce the dark night,
“Does anyone care? ”
And all along they’re saying
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
One by land, two by sea.
right there in front of me.
Help is on the way.
right here! right here! [x3]
Choking on the black gold
upon which we rely,
We keep axes in the attics,
To see cameras in the sky.
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
We were told just to sit tight
‘Cause somebody will soon arrive.
Help is on the way.
But it never came!
It never came!
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
Help is on the way
(They said, they said)
One by land, two by sea.
right there in front of me.
Help is on the way.
on the way.
Help Is On The Way Lyrics by Rise Against Alternate
I have mother’s dreams
I have my father’s eyes
Can’t take that away from me
Just try
Crescent City sleeps
And the giants in the sky
Getting ready to release
Unleash the mighty cry
Can’t nobody save us?
Who will try?
Branch of the river on fire
Cypress dies
And they only say:
Help on the way
(They said, they said)
Help on the way
(They said, they said)
One by land, two by sea
Right in front of me
Help on the way
Five thousand feet below
When black smoke engulfs the sky
The ocean floor is exploding
Eleven mothers cry
All my bones resonate
Emitting a blazing lullaby
Can’t take that away from me
Just try
She stands on the shore
Raising your hands to the sky
Her words pierce the dark night:
“At least someone cares?”
And they only say:
Help on the way
(They said, they said)
Help on the way
(They said, they said)
One by land, two by sea
Right in front of me
Help on the way
Right here! Right here! [х3]
Choking black gold
On which we rely
We keep axes in attics
And we see cameras in the sky
Help on the way
(They said, they said)
Help on the way
(They said, they said)
We were told to just wait
‘Cause someone’s coming soon
Help on the way
But she never came!
She never comes!
Help on the way
(They said, they said)
Help on the way
(They said, they said)
One by land, two by sea
Right in front of me
Help on the way
