Matthew West - Do Something Lyrics
Lyrics
I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
I thought, "How'd we ever get so far down?"
And "How's it ever gonna turn around?"
So, I turned my eyes to Heaven,
I thought, "God, why don't You do something?"
Well, I just couldn't bear the thought of
People living in poverty,
Children sold into slavery.
The thought disgusted me.
So, I shook my fist at Heaven,
I said, "God, why don't You do something?"
He said, "I did." Yeah. "I created you."
Now listen.
If not us, then who?
If not me and you?
Right now.
Well, it's time for us to do something.
If not now, then when?
Will we see an end
To all this pain?
It's not enough to do nothing.
It's time for us to do something.
I'm so tired of talking
About how we are God's hands and feet.
But it's easier to say than to be.
Live like angels of apathy
Who tell ourselves,
"It's alright: somebody else will do something."
Well, I don't know about you,
But I'm sick and tired
Of life with no desire.
I don't want a flame, I want a fire.
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
"I'm gonna do something."
If not us, then who?
If not me and you?
Right now.
It's time for us to do something.
Yes, it is. Come on.
If not now, then when?
Will we see an end
To all this pain?
Well, it's not enough to do nothing.
It's time for us to do something.
We are the salt of the earth.
We are a city on a hill
Shine, shine, shine, shine.
We're never gonna change the world
By standing still.
No, we won't stand still.
No, we won't stand still.
No, we won't stand still. No!
If not us, then who?
If not me and you?
Right now.
It's time for us to do something.
If not now, then when?
Will we see an end
To all this pain?
It's not enough to do nothing.
It's time for us to do something.
It's time for us to do something.
It's time for us to do something.
Video
Matthew West - Do Something
Meaning & Inspiration
Matthew West's "Do Something," released on July 10, 2012, as part of the album *Into the Light*, is a powerful and timely anthem that directly confronts spiritual complacency and calls listeners to active engagement in addressing the world's suffering. The song’s narrative begins with a raw and relatable lament, describing a waking realization of global troubles and a gut-wrenching question directed heavenward: "God, why don't You do something?" This initial cry, born from observing profound injustice like poverty and child slavery, encapsulates the frustration many feel when faced with overwhelming problems and a perceived divine silence. However, the song pivots dramatically with God’s response, a gentle yet firm reminder: "I created you." This declaration transforms the song from a plea for external intervention to an empowering commission, emphasizing that humanity, and specifically the listener, is God’s instrument for change.
The core message of "Do Something" is a profound interpretation of Christian responsibility, drawing heavily from the biblical call to be the “salt of the earth” and a “city on a hill,” as mentioned in Matthew 5:13-16. West masterfully unpacks the passive inclination to simply talk about faith rather than embody it, highlighting the danger of becoming “angels of apathy” who abdicate their God-given roles. This resonates with verses like James 1:22, which states, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” The song challenges the comfortable notion that someone else will step up, underscoring the urgency conveyed by the repeated questions, "If not us, then who?" and "If not now, then when?" This direct challenge echoes the disciples' own moments of hesitant faith and Christ’s persistent encouragement to action, such as in Mark 9:23, where Jesus says, "All things are possible to him who believes."
"Do Something" dismantles the illusion that inaction is neutral, asserting instead that "it's not enough to do nothing." This aligns with the New Testament's emphasis on demonstrating faith through works, as articulated in 1 John 3:18: "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." West’s passionate plea for a “fire” rather than a mere “flame” signifies a desire for a deep, transformative commitment to serving others, moving beyond superficial good intentions to genuine, impactful action. The recurring refrain, "It's time for us to do something," serves as a spiritual wake-up call, reminding believers that they are equipped and called to be the hands and feet of Christ in a hurting world. The song’s powerful conclusion, that "we're never gonna change the world by standing still," is a direct application of biblical principles that urge active participation in God's redemptive work, transforming abstract faith into tangible acts of love and justice.