Hang on in There
John Legend/The Roots Lyrics
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No time for sorrow
And we ain't got time, no time
Ah, time to be sad
And maybe the world ain't what it could be
But to understand that is to know reality
Ah, don't give in (ooh, hang on in there)
Hang on in there (hang on in there)
How many times did you hear your mom and daddy?
Say, "Oh child, I never had it so good"
I wanna say thank you, thank you for the start
'Cause deep in my soul, I know you did all that you could
I'm just a part of your dreams, this I know
But I'll do what ever possible to make this thing grow
Ah, don't give in (ooh, hang on in there)
I said hang on
Hang on in there (hang on in there)
Ah, now say tomorrow if you woke up a king
Now tell me just how would you fix everything?
You walk around complaining about how things are
But what have you added to this world so far?
Now check out your mind, and see what the answer is
And tell me just how, how much did you give?
Ah, don't give in (ooh, hang on in there)
Hang
I said hang on, hang on in there, ah (hang on in there)
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
There are plenty of things still left to live for
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
A child, a friend, and a wife (ooh, ooh, ooh)
They all want to share your life (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Ain't that enough to make you want hang on?
Oh, hang on
Hang on, ooh (hang on in there)
(Hang on in there)
The sign said
"America, love it or leave it"
Well, has it really come to that?
And besides
I don't want to
And you can't make me, love
(You can't make me, love)
I've got too many friends (and I don't wanna leave)
That have shed their blood, yeah ((you can't make me love)
I got too many relatives here born on this land, yeah
(And I don't wanna leave)
So you can't make me leave (you can't make me, love)
I said, this is my county (and I don't wanna leave)
And you can't make me leave
Oh but, you can't make me love (you can't make me, love)
Oh-oh
The way you treat me, yeah (and I don't wanna leave)
Yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah (you can't make me, love)
You can't make me love, yeah (and I don't wanna leave)
The way you beat me
Mm, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Mh, oh, yeah, yeah (hang on in there)
I'm hang on
Oh, come on (hang on in there)
No matter you do or
Or what you say (hang on in there)
I just wanna let you know
You can't drive me away (hang on in there)
I'm gonna hang, hang
I'm gonna hang, yeah-yeah (hang on in there)
I'm not gonna throw up my hands, ah, no, no
No, no, no, no (hang on in there)
I'm not gonna throw up my hands (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Oh-oh, oh, ah-ah
And you can't drive me away
From my home land, y'all (hang on in there)
I'm gonna hang on, yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh ooh)
I'm gonna hang on, yeah, yeah (hang on in there)
Uh, oh with the spark of the Cross (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Oh-oh, and so many lives we have lost
Hm yeah, oh still gonna hang on (hang on in there)
Yeah-yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh)
(Hang on in there)
Said, no matter what (ooh, ooh, ooh)
No, no, no, no matter what (hang on in there)
Hm yeah, I'm gonna hang on
The lyrics of the song "Hang on in There" by John Legend and The Roots is an anthem of perseverance in the face of adversity. The song reminds the listener that there is no time for sorrow and that we must hang on to life, no matter how difficult it may seem. The lyrics encourage the listener not to give up, reminding them that every day is an opportunity to make a difference in the world.
The first verse asserts that there is no time for sadness and sorrow, and that even though the world may not be perfect, it is important to continue to strive for a better future. The second verse thanks parents and loved ones for providing a good start in life, but also emphasizes that it is the listener's responsibility to continue to grow and improve themselves. The bridge of the song poses a hypothetical scenario where the listener becomes a king with the power to fix everything wrong with the world, but then questions whether they have contributed anything meaningful to society.
The song's tone becomes more politically charged towards the end of the song. The lyrics directly reference the sign "America, love it or leave it" and assert that "this is my country" and that the listener will not be driven away from their home. The song ends with the refrain that the listener will "hang on in there" no matter what.
Overall, the song is a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, encouraging the listener to persevere and fight for what they believe in.
Line by Line Meaning
There ain't no time
There is no time to waste
No time for sorrow
No time to be sad
And we ain't got time, no time
We have a limited amount of time
Ah, time to be sad
It's not the time to feel sad
And maybe the world ain't what it could be
Perhaps the world is not perfect
But to understand that is to know reality
Acknowledging reality is important
Ah, don't give in (ooh, hang on in there)
Don't give up, keep going
Ah, I said hang on
Keep holding on
Hang on in there (hang on in there)
Continue to endure and persevere
How many times did you hear your mom and daddy?
How often did you hear advice from your parents?
Say, 'Oh child, I never had it so good'
They say they had it tough
I wanna say thank you, thank you for the start
I am grateful for the beginning they gave me
'Cause deep in my soul, I know you did all that you could
I know that my parents did their best
I'm just a part of your dreams, this I know
I am a part of their aspirations
But I'll do what ever possible to make this thing grow
I will work hard to achieve success
Ah, don't give in (ooh, hang on in there)
Don't give up, keep going
I said hang on
Keep holding on
Hang on in there (hang on in there)
Continue to endure and persevere
Ah, now say tomorrow if you woke up a king
If you suddenly became a leader
Now tell me just how would you fix everything?
What would you do to make things better?
You walk around complaining about how things are
You constantly complain about the current state of affairs
But what have you added to this world so far?
What contributions have you made?
Now check out your mind, and see what the answer is
Reflect on your thoughts to find the answer
And tell me just how, how much did you give?
How much have you given to the world?
Ah, don't give in (ooh, hang on in there)
Don't give up, keep going
Hang
Keep holding on
I said hang on, hang on in there, ah (hang on in there)
Continue to endure and persevere
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Vocals
There are plenty of things still left to live for
There are many reasons to keep on living
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Vocals
A child, a friend, and a wife (ooh, ooh, ooh)
People who care about you
They all want to share your life (ooh, ooh, ooh)
They want to be a part of your life
Ain't that enough to make you want hang on?
Isn't that reason enough to endure?
Oh, hang on
Hold on
Hang on, ooh (hang on in there)
Continue to endure and persevere
(Hang on in there)
Vocals
The sign said
A sign said
"America, love it or leave it"
Love America or leave it
Well, has it really come to that?
Is that the only option?
And besides
Additionally
I don't want to
I don't want to leave
And you can't make me, love
I cannot be forced to love
(You can't make me, love)
Vocals
I've got too many friends (and I don't wanna leave)
Leaving would mean leaving friends behind
That have shed their blood, yeah ((you can't make me love)
Friends who have sacrificed for the country
I got too many relatives here born on this land, yeah
Family who were born in America
(And I don't wanna leave)
Vocals
So you can't make me leave (you can't make me, love)
I won't be forced to leave
I said, this is my county (and I don't wanna leave)
This is my country and I don't want to leave
And you can't make me leave
I will not be forced to leave
Oh but, you can't make me love (you can't make me, love)
I won't be forced to love
Oh-oh
Vocals
The way you treat me, yeah (and I don't wanna leave)
I don't want to leave, given how I'm treated
Yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah (you can't make me, love)
Vocals
You can't make me love, yeah (and I don't wanna leave)
I won't be forced to love or leave
The way you beat me
Metaphor for mistreatment
Mm, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Vocals
Mh, oh, yeah, yeah (hang on in there)
Encouragement to persevere
I'm hang on
I am holding on
Oh, come on (hang on in there)
Encouragement to persevere
No matter you do or
No matter what happens
Or what you say (hang on in there)
Encouragement to persevere
I just wanna let you know
I want to inform you
You can't drive me away (hang on in there)
I won't be forced to leave
I'm gonna hang, hang
I will hold on
I'm gonna hang, yeah-yeah (hang on in there)
I will hold on
I'm not gonna throw up my hands, ah, no, no
I won't give up
No, no, no, no (hang on in there)
Encouragement to persevere
I'm not gonna throw up my hands (ooh, ooh, ooh)
I won't give up
Oh-oh, oh, ah-ah
Vocals
And you can't drive me away
I won't be forced to leave
From my home land, y'all (hang on in there)
I won't be forced to leave my country
I'm gonna hang on, yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh ooh)
I will hold on
Uh, oh with the spark of the Cross (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Metaphor for faith and resistance
Oh-oh, and so many lives we have lost
Many lives have been lost
Hm yeah, oh still gonna hang on (hang on in there)
Encouragement to persevere
Yeah-yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Vocals
(Hang on in there)
Encouragement to persevere
Said, no matter what (ooh, ooh, ooh)
No matter what happens
No, no, no, no matter what (hang on in there)
Encouragement to persevere
Hm yeah, I'm gonna hang on
I will hold on
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mike James Kirkland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind