The Exodus Has Begun
Prince Lyrics

Have mercy, uh
The singer requests mercy in the wake of an important event.

The exodus has begun (The exodus has begun!)
A mass departure of people has commenced.

Now these are the names of the New Power Generation (These are the names) The funkiest suckers of the new gold nation Polyvinyl acetate, New Power Soul Guaranteed 2 stick 2 the roof of your Oldsmobile muthafucka
The singer describes the New Power Generation, a group of young, talented individuals committed to their music with a distinct style that's sure to impress.

CHORUS: Long live the New Power! Have mercy Generation after generation, the soul will never die (The exodus has begun) Long live the New Power! Have mercy We don't cry, we don't die, we just multiply
A chorus repeats the phrase 'Long live the New Power' and expresses a hope that the soulful, creative spirit displayed by young generations will never die out.

Polyvinyl acetate, New Power Soul (Mercy) The exodus has begun These are the names of the children of the sun Pumpin' the love sign in the days of wild Tearin' shit up with a vengeance and still they smile (Still they smile) Though their lives were made bitter with hard labor and no pay These are the children that will come 2 save the day (These are the children) The exodus has begun Have mercy
The artist describes the New Power Generation as a group of young people with infectious positivity who work hard to change their circumstances and uplift those around them.

La da da da, da da daaa (U ain't gonna hurt me) Sho do do do do doo (Have mercy) La da da da, da da daaa (U ain't gonna hurt me) Have mercy
The singer chants nonsensical phrases, punctuated with a defiant statement to someone trying to harm them and a plea for mercy.

(Behold) Behold the children of the New Power Are more and mightier than U (Mighty, mighty) U that have scorned and held back the inevitable Must now come 2 grips with the truth (All that is good in the eyes of heaven) All that is good in the eyes of heaven Will rebuke your powder monkey ways (Have mercy, mercy, mercy) And let that same heaven have mercy When the wrath of the sun knocks upon your gate Have mercy The exodus has begun (New... New Power!) Uh, brothers and sisters (Stop me if U want, it's between U and me) The exodus has begun Uh (New Power!)
The singer warns that those who ignore or suppress the talents and creativity of young people will eventually face consequences, and urges the listener to recognize and appreciate the power and potential of the New Power Generation.

Just.. Just cause.. Just cause it's.. (Have mercy) Just cause it's nasty.. Just cause it's nasty it don't.. Just cause it's nasty it don't mean.. Just cause it's nasty it don't mean a.. {loop} Just cause it's nasty it don't mean a thing
The artist dismisses any negative associations with something that is deemed 'nasty', arguing that it doesn't necessarily have negative meanings or implications.

All that is good is nasty All that is good, all that is good (Have mercy) All that is good in heaven (The exodus has begun) All that is good, all that is good (Have mercy) All that is good in heaven (The exodus has begun)
The artist considers that even the good things in life can have a certain level of unpleasantness, but ultimately are pure and worthy of appreciation, and the New Power Generation will continue their work toward greatness.

Spatch cocks in black face offer us pennies (Offer us pennies) When it's millions and millions upon millions they reap (When it's millions, when it's millions) (Pluck his eye again!) How in the world can we call ourselves equal When their wages outweigh When their wages outweigh the time that they keep? (Pluck his eye again!) And if they stood up and behaved like the humans they're supposed 2 As opposed 2 the way they are not Then this New Power Soul would not be so soulful (Then this New Power Soul would not be soulful) And the water they're in would not be so hot (And the water would not be so hot) The exodus has begun (The exodus has begun!) Have mercy Uh (The exodus has begun!) The exodus has begun Now sing
The artist denounces exploitation and inequality, pointing out that when the group exploited labor stands together, they could rise up and demand a fair share of the riches they produce, contributing to the soulful and compassionate work the New Power Generation has started.

Oh yeah, U can sing But what the fuck are U complainin' about baby? Oh yeah, I will read your big ass Cuz I think U're thinkin' about readin' me And when the people ask U everywhere Is that really all your hair? Tell'em U don't tell a lie Bald-headed son of a motherfuckin' housefly And like George said (What?) Get satisfied Let's get satisfied, let's get satisfied (Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...) La da da da, da da daaa Sho do do do do doo (New Power!) (Have mercy) La da da da, da da daaa (Long live the New Power!) Whoo, yeah, yeah
The singer calls out listeners who may be critical of their work but still want to engage with it or benefit from it, and urges people to be confident and comfortable with themselves no matter what their physical appearance or abilities may be.

(Stop me now) Stop this muthafucker like we intend 2 finish, yeah (New Power!) (Have mercy) Mercy (Long live the New Power!) A New Power (The exodus has begun!) (Have mercy) (Generation after generation, the soul will never die) Oh, yeah (Long live the New Power!) Shit, y'all can't fuck with me (The exodus has begun!) (We don't cry, we don't die, we just multiply) La da da da, da da daaa (The exodus has begun!) Oh, oh (New Power!) (Have mercy) Oh La da da da, da da daaa (The exodus has begun!) Oh, oh
The artist doubles down on their message, urging listeners to recognize the talent and potential within themselves and others, and to commit to the work of building a better society and a stronger, more creative, empathetic New Power Generation.

{refrain repeats in BG} (Wait a minute, let me check my messages)
The final lyrics consist of a repeating chorus in the background, while the singer interrupts to check their messages before returning to the song's themes.

This shit is dedicated 2 the memory of His Royal Badness I know his name, that muthafuckin' Prince Rest in peace nigga!
The singer dedicates their work to Prince, a fellow musician who has passed away, and pays tribute to his legacy.