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  1. Tracks
  2. R.E.M.
  3. Up
  4. Walk Unafraid

TRACK

R.E.M.

Walk Unafraid

Release date: 26th October 1998

From Up
Spotify
More on R.E.M.

About This Track

"Walk Unafraid" is a track by R.E.M., from the album Up, released 26th October 1998. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about R.E.M..

About the Artist

R.E.M.

R.E.M.

Lyrics

Walk Unafraid

[Verse 1]

As the sun comes up, as the moon goes down

These heavy notions creep around

It makes me think, long ago

I was brought into this life a little lamb

A little lamb

Courageous, stumbling

Fearless was my middle name

[Pre-Chrous 1]

But somewhere there I lost my way

Everyone walks the same

Expecting me to step

The narrow path they've laid

They claim to

[Chorus]

Walk unafraid

I'll be clumsy instead

Hold my love me or leave me high

[Verse 2]

Say "keep within the boundaries if you want to play."

Say "contradiction only makes it harder."

How can I be

What I want to be?

When all I want to do is strip away

These stilled constraints

[Pre-Chorus 2]

And crush this charade

Shred this sad masquerade

I don't need no persuading

I'll trip, fall, pick myself up and

[Chorus]

Walk unafraid

I'll be clumsy instead

Hold my love me or leave me high

[Verse 3]

If I have a bag of rocks to carry as I go

I just want to hold my head up high

I don't care what I have to step over

I'm prepared to look you in the eye

Look me in the eye

[Pre-Chorus 3]

And if you see familiarity

Then celebrate the contradiction

Help me when I fall to

[Chorus]

Walk unafraid

I'll be clumsy instead

Hold my love me or leave me high

Walk unafraid

I'll be clumsy instead

Hold my love me or leave me high

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Up

1998
Listen
Album
Up
Up
R.E.M.
Release year
1998
  1. —Why Not Smile
  2. —You’re In the Air
  3. —Sad Professor
  4. —Parakeet
  5. —Airportman
  6. —Diminished / I'm Not Over You
  7. —Falls to Climb
  8. —Walk Unafraid
  9. —The Apologist

More from R.E.M.

Albums & EPs

R.E.M. At The BBC (Live)
R.E.M. At The BBC (Live)
2018
Unplugged 1991
2014
Unplugged 2001
2014
Unplugged 1991 & 2001 (The Complete Sessions)
2014
Live In Greensboro
2013
Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011
Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011
2011

Explore

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  2. Bang and Blame (Remix)
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  4. Binky the Doormat (Live / Atlanta, GA / 11/18/1995)
  5. Black Sky 4-14
  6. Circus Envy - Live in Chicago / 1995
  7. Circus Envy (Remix)
  8. Country Feedback - Live in Chicago / 1995
  9. Cranky 4-29
  10. Crush With Eyeliner - Live in Chicago / 1995

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Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer
Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck
Producer
Pat McCarthy, R.E.M.
Bass
Mike Mills
Guitar
Peter Buck
Vocals
Michael Stipe
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Suz Dyer
Mastering Engineer
Ted Jensen
Mixing Engineer
Nigel Godrich
READ MORE ABOUT R.E.M.READ MORE ABOUT R.E.M.READ MORE ABOUT R.E.M.READ MORE ABOUT R.E.M.
READ MORE ABOUT R.E.M.READ MORE ABOUT R.E.M.READ MORE ABOUT R.E.M.READ MORE ABOUT R.E.M.
Michael Stipe is finishing up work on his upcoming solo debut, 'FYI'
News

Michael Stipe is finishing up work on his upcoming solo debut, 'FYI'

A tree recording, Daft Punk textures and 'Drunken Sailor' all feature on the record

24 Apr 2026 • 10:20 am