Give It Up
Public Enemy Lyrics

I occupy the planet Earth
I am a human being living on the Earth

I testify, it's a piece of work
The Earth is complicated and requires attention and effort to understand and fix its issues

I'm gratified down to the dirt
I appreciate the Earth and everything about it

Been around the world a few times, I seen the hurt
I have traveled and witnessed the many troubles and challenges that exist all over the world

Quakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes
Natural disasters that cause destruction and loss of life

Warning times to man's designs
Disasters are often the result of human actions that have negative consequences

Under that concrete y'all call the street
Beneath the urban landscape lies the natural world that is often ignored or forgotten

Is the heart of land, you can hear the beat
The natural environment is vital and should be appreciated for its contributions to life

The pain in all the lies, uh
There is suffering caused by dishonesty and deceit

And the pain in all them lives
People suffer in many ways as a result of various factors beyond their control

The pain of losin' homes, yeah
Losing one's home is a painful experience

With the pain of the unknown, yeah
Not knowing what the future holds can be a source of stress and anxiety

And the pain of what you spent
Spending money can be a source of stress, especially when it is wasted or misused

The pain of government
Government actions can cause suffering, particularly when they are unfair or oppressive

No matter what you say, you don't pay
People often have to bear the costs, even if they are not responsible for the problems

Here they come to take it away
Those in power will take what they want, regardless of the harm it causes

So don't give it up
Don't surrender or give in to the demands of those in power

The foreign lands and the seven seas
Everywhere around the world, including the oceans, is affected by environmental problems

Radiation is the world's disease
Radiation is a major threat to the health of people and the environment

Bringing nations down to the knees
Environmental problems are so severe that they can cause entire countries to suffer

Mother Nature, she ain't pleased
The natural world is upset and angry about how humans are treating it

Trees diseased, deep freeze
Environmental problems are causing sickness in plants and animals, including winter that is getting colder

Doin' us like that government cheese
Government actions, like the distribution of low-quality cheese, have negative consequences

Smell that burning in the breeze
Fires are raging and causing damage to the environment and to human lives

Summertime, a hundred-twenty degrees
Global warming is causing high temperatures that are unbearable and dangerous

(Hey!) Pay close attention
Listen carefully and be aware of what is happening around you

Don't be distracted by invention
Don't be misled or fooled by technology or other distractions

All the rappers around the nation
Musicians have the power to influence and inspire change

This is how you'll find redemption
We must work together and use our strengths to make a difference and heal the world

So shut 'em down in appreciation
Stop the people in power and show gratitude for the natural world

Of the world itself and God's creation
The environment is a precious gift and should be respected and cherished

What good is the 'hood if you up to no good
It is useless to live in a community if you're a troublemaker and cause harm to others

Them government gangsters would hang you on wood
Corrupt politicians who abuse their power should be held accountable for their actions

Stop the tape, my mind's stuck in sixty-eight
The artist is so overwhelmed by the present issues that they feel stuck in a moment in history from many years ago

Haight Asbury, now our ass buried in hate
A reference to a time and place from a past era that is now fraught with conflict and hostility

I paraphrase beyond the gaze
The artist is interpreting and expressing ideas that are beyond the surface level of understanding

A haze hovers over a crowd that disobeys
There is a sense of confusion and rebellion among people who refuse to follow the status quo

"How to fight the power, cannot run and hide"
We must confront those in power and not hide from the problems we face

"Shouldn't be suicide"
We shouldn't have to sacrifice ourselves to make a positive change in the world