Don't Give Up
Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush Lyrics
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We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail
No fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up
I know you can make it good
Though I saw it all around
Never thought I could be affected
Thought that we'd be the last to go
It is so strange the way things turn
Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lakeside
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up
We don't need much of anything
Don't give up
'Cause somewhere there's a place
Where we belong
Rest your head
You worry too much
It's going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Don't give up
Please don't give up
Got to walk out of here
I can't take anymore
Going to stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That river's flowing
That river's flowing
Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job, so many men
So many men no-one needs
Don't give up
'cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
'Cause I believe there's the a place
There's a place where we belong
The song Don't Give Up is a duet between Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. The lyrics are about perseverance and not giving up, even in the face of adversity. The song starts with the singer looking back on a time when he was strong and wanted. He was taught to fight and never thought he could fail. However, he finds himself in a situation where there's no fight left in him, and he's changed his face and name, but no one seems to want him.
The chorus of the song is an encouragement to keep going, even when things seem hopeless. The singer’s friend tells him not to give up because he still has his friends, and there's a place where they both belong. The second verse talks about how even though the singer was aware of the problems around him, he didn't think they would affect him. However, he comes to realize that it's strange how things turn out. In the end, he finds hope in the fact that he still has his friends.
Line by Line Meaning
In this proud land we grew up strong
We grew up in a place where strength is valued.
We were wanted all along
We were accepted and embraced by society.
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I was taught to be a warrior, to never give up without a fight.
I never thought I could fail
I believed that strength and determination would always carry me through any obstacle.
No fight left or so it seems
I feel like I've exhausted all my strength and courage.
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
All my aspirations and hopes have been lost.
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
I've tried to escape from my problems by taking on a new identity.
But no one wants you when you lose
Society may not value you if you don't succeed or if you experience setbacks.
Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up
I know you can make it good
Encouragement to keep going because you have supportive friends and there's still hope to turn things around.
Though I saw it all around
Never thought I could be affected
Thought that we'd be the last to go
It is so strange the way things turn
I was blind to the struggles around me and thought I would never experience them, but life can be unpredictable.
Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lake side
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground
Returning home, I witnessed the devastation caused by a calamity, which left me devastated.
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up
We don't need much of anything
Don't give up
'Cause somewhere there's a place
Where we belong
Others still care and support you; there's still hope to find a place of belonging.
Rest your head
You worry too much
It's going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Don't give up
Please don't give up
Take a break and ease your worries; others are here to support you in tough times.
Got to walk out of here
I can't take anymore
Going to stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That river's flowing
That river's flowing
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless, the only way out may be to leave everything behind, focusing on the flowing river below.
Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job, so many men
So many men no-one needs
Trying to start anew, but finding it difficult in a world where there's too much competition and not enough opportunities.
Don't give up
'cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
'Cause I believe there's a place
There's a place where we belong
More encouragement to not give up, because you have friends who care about you and are proud of who you are; there's no shame in struggling as others experience similar difficulties; there is still hope to find a place of belonging.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER GABRIEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickscanlon544
I almost gave up. I came back from the Gulf War broken and hopeless. I turned to the drink and isolated myself. When things were at their worst my father came and brought me home and helped me in his gentle way, where army doctors and their pills couldn’t. He made me see that there was peace and goodness in the world. He passed seven years ago and I miss him every day. I’m still strong Da.
@coralbay00
Inspirational brother. Continue doing him proud as I can assure you he still sees you 🤜🤛
@PeterNgola
Thank you for your service Patrick , Take care of yourself mate!
@williammcmillan1108
sorry /i lost my dad as well
@danielblanchet7577
Sorry for your loss, I know what it feels like believe me, my wife passed 8 years ago and I still miss her, been alone ever since 'cos no one can replace her and no one ever will ! God it's hard !!!
@mystavalon200
Awsome story
Stay strong 💪
@jenniferjanejames2873
One of the most powerful songs for anyone struggling.
@gabecollett
Yes. Masterpiece.
@sylvainnouet6447
❤❤❤
@tetraquark2402
I keep returning to it