Up against the wall

Posted by ESC on April 30, 2006

In Reply to: Up against the wall posted by David FG on April 30, 2006

: : What is the origin of the phrase "first up against the wall, come the revolution"

: It is a reference to execution by firing squad, in which the condemned person is stood against a wall and shot.

: The phrase is suggesting that 'come the (desired) revolution whoever is being mentioned will be the first to be executed.'

: It is not generally to be taken literally.

: DFG

I feel a song coming on (and just in time for Mother's Day):

Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother

He was born in Oklahoma
His wife's name is Betty Jo Thelma Liz.
He's not responsible for what he's doing;
His mother made him what he is.

And it's up against the wall redneck mother
Mother who has raised her son so well.
He's thirty-four and drinking in them honky-tonks
Just kicking all them hippies' a**es and raising h*ll...

Up against the wall David FG 30/April/06
- Up against the wall ESC 30/April/06
  - Up against the wall Debbie 01/May/06
  - Mother's Day R. Berg 30/April/06
    - Mother's Day David FG 01/May/06
      - Mother's Day Bob 01/May/06