Artist Statement
This is a song for the No Kings movement. Permission is granted for performers to play the song live or from a recording at any peaceful No Kings or related protest through 2028, so long as this is not done for profit.
The song is structured to allow for the possibility of audience participation in the form of call-and-response to the first two lines of each verse.
I play it with a capo at 3 and ~94 bpm.
See GUITAR TABS here. The original document with lyrics, chords, and notes, is here. ​
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Watch for the single!
​Other than the above: Music and lyrics ©2025 Squeaky Toy Music / Adam M. Steinberg. All rights reserved.
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ASCAP
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Song recorded, engineered and mixed by Steve Shadforth, Lanigans Van Productions, Kleinmachnow, Germany, in December 2025.
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Acoustic guitar: Adam Steinberg
Electric guitar and organ filler: Steve
Drums and percussion: Steve and Logic Pro
Bass: Adam and Garageband
We Rise (No Kings)
New for 2026!
No kings dmin
No crowns A
We sing dmin
We won’t back down C
No cage F
No lords C
We break the chains F
We snap the cords A
WE RISE, WE RISE Bâ™,C
WHEN THE BOOT COMES DOWN dm,em7
WHEN THE MOTHER CRIES dm,Dsus9*
RAISE FIST gmin
RESIST Bâ™
WE RISE dmin [=> Eâ™, A]
No grift
No crime
No graft
Not on our time
Our laws
Our land
We live the cause
We take a stand
-REFRAIN-
The truth is clear, love conquers fear Dsus9, F
And all are welcome, welcome here Dsus9, A7
And if a king comes ‘round dmin, dmin7
We’ll shake the throne Bâ™6
Retake the ground A7
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Our vote
Our will
You won’t swift-boat
All we’ve fought to build
No greed
No gold
Leave freedom free
It won’t be sold
-REFRAIN ⇒ break-
Your spite
Your war
You’ve quite forgot
Who you’re working for
No walls
Join hands
One voice will call
Across the land:
-REFRAIN-
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WE RISE, WE RISE
WHEN OUR RIGHTS ARE DROWNED
IN A SEA OF LIES
RAISE FIST
RESIST
WE RISE