Story Behind The Song

we wanted to explore the two meanings of someone "standing up"

Song Description

doing what's right

Lyrics

HE STOOD UP
(Claire Ulanoff/Lee Young)

The congregation turned to stare when he walked in the door
In that army shirt and with a three day beard
He leaned on his cane and didn?t hear them whispering
?Dressed like that, what?s he doing here??
But I couldn?t bear to just sit there, so...

I stood up, stepped out in the aisle
I stood up, put my hand out and smiled
I said ?I?m glad you?re here, come on sit with us?
There were tears in his eyes when I stood up

I sat down and started thinking, years ago there was a baby
And a stack of adoption papers for me and my wife to sign
Doctor said ?this boy is weak, he?ll need a lot of care
Wouldn?t blame you if you changed your minds?
But my wife couldn?t bear to just sit there...

She stood up, reached out and took the baby
She stood up, no ifs no buts no maybes
She said ?I believe this child has found his way to us
We became Mom and Dad when she stood up

Our son became a man through love and sacrifice
And when our country called to protect our way of life...

He stood up, hugged me and his mother
He stood up, marched off with the others
Though he didn?t give his life, looks like he gave so much
But we were always proud that he stood up

Today the congregation turned to stare...when my son walked through the door...