I was born in an East End ragtop
I learned to walk on a sawdust floor
I grew up in the Catman's night spot
Pulling drunks from the club's backdoor

The Catman would always tease me
He had a monkey and a million jokes
A gold tooth and a smile so easy
I used to listen when the Catman spoke
'Cause life's too short to spend being put down
Hang on, your time will come around

Stand up!
Stand up and feel the power of the Catman's rhythm and blues
He said stand up!
You got nothin' to lose!
Yeah

The Catman used to talk about anger
The Catman used to laugh about pain
He used to say that life is danger
He used to say that life is change
You got to grab it by the throat and fight back
You got to smile and state your case
Stand up and get on the right track
Stand up and get face to face

'Cause life's too short to spend being put down
Hang on, your time will come around

Stand up!
Stand up and feel the power of the Catman's rhythm and blues
He said stand up!
Stand up, you got nothin' to lose!

He said stand up!
Stand up and feel the power of the Catman tellin' the truth
He said stand up!
Stand up, you got nothin' to lose!
Yeah, nothin' to lose
Oh, I can hear him sayin'
Nothin' to lose

The Catman's gone but he ain't forgotten
I hang onto the things he taught me
life's too short to spend being put down
Hang on, your time will come around

Stand up!
Stand up and feel the power of the Catman's rhythm and blues
He said stand up!
Stand up, you got nothin' to lose!

He said stand up!
Stand up and feel the power of the Catman tellin' the truth
He said stand up!
Stand up, you got nothin' to lose!

Yeah, he said stand up! Stand up and feel the power of the Catman's rhythm and blues
He said stand up!
Stand up, you got nothin' to lose!

Stand up!
Stand up!

From "Tales from Terminal City"