You see, it's a song with three interlocking warnings for Lyle's fellow Americans across our common "continent" who are dissatisfied with the status quo. It's politically agnostic. It ends with a salute to each.
If you're disillusioned and say nothing, your cause will have no impact but you will be safer.
If you think your vote doesn't count and seek revolution, your cause will be usurped and you will lose everything.
If you've deserted your cause, you'll find no reward, your "rose" of passion and any progress you had made to achieve it will disappear.
If you find yourself in one of these categories, a part of the singer will be with you, because he's chosen his path too. Possibly the singer has experienced a little of each.