every morning on the evening news  I hear the same ol’ story someone singing the blues  disaster striking out and you’re not ready  California quakes and the Midwest floods  see the hurricanes and the Malibu mud  ice and snow, you know it drives you crazy    I hear the prophet of the modern day  shouting out from the side of the stage    the kind is rising  will you be ready to stand up and fight    there’s feeling all across the land  times are tough--getting way out of hand  crime is on the run and there’s no safety  war in the streets, the economy  nothing stays the same and there’s nothing for me  everybody’s frantic for the sure thing    I see the prophet of the modern day  stepping out from society’s cage    the king is rising  will you be ready to stand up and fight  the king is rising  will you be ready to lay down your life    I don’t think he’ll take any longer, no,  I don’t think he’ll take any more    (solo)    the king is rising  will you be ready to stand up and fight  the king is rising  will you be ready to lay down your life