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Releasing on all streaming platforms on December 5, Krista O’Connell’s “Speak Up” is a folk anthem in the tradition of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell that speaks to the current political moment. It is both an assertive call to action and a hopeful reassurance that collective power can overcome injustice.
The cover art and lyrics “down here in Virginia, it’s Sic Semper Tyrannis” is a reference to Krista’s Virginia roots and the No Kings Movement. Sic Semper Tyrannis means Thus Always to Tyrants, and is reference to the Virginia seal which shows an Amazonian defeating a tyrant.
Credits
Produced by Hear Me Roar Studio
Krista O’Connell– Guitar, voice, harmonica
Lydia Martin Foy– Banjo and background vocals
Ahmed and Dorothy from Musiversal- Background vocals
Composer: Krista O’Connell (c) 2025
Lyrics (no profanity)
Whatcha gonna do when they come for your neighbor
When they tear apart families of migrant labor
Because I’m gonna stand up and fight in their favor
Whatchu gonna do when they seize your body
Colonize your womb, make your gender their hobby
When they come I’m gonna scream loudly
Yeah I’m gonna speak up
Be the squeaky wheel
Fight for those I love
Declare the things I feel
This land is yours
This land is mine
It’s not for sale
It not for kings
Hear my battle cry
Whatchu gonna do when they hate your love
Deny your marriage and the stars above
I will hold your hand in a gentle hug
So what you gonna do when they cut your job
Taking you for granted and leaving your robbed
Joined my union and we’ll march on
Yeah I’m gonna speak up
Be the squeaky wheel
Fight for those I love
Declare the things I feel
This land is yours
This land is mine
It’s not for sale
It not for kings
Hear my battle cry
Whatchu gonna do when there’s nothing left
No people, no targets for their theft
Well it’s too late now to just feel bereft
Were all in this together It ain’t just you and me
We the people all together of a rainbow country
We may not be great, well we’ve never really been
But down here in Virginia, it’s Sic Semper Tyrannis
Yeah we’re gonna speak up
Be the squeaky wheel
Fight for those we love
Declare the things we feel
This land is yours
This land is mine
It’s not for sale
It’s not for kings
Hear our battle cry