If Your Love Cannot Be Moved
Stevie Wonder Lyrics

You can't say we shall and not fight through hell
You cannot declare that we must do something (or face consequences) without being willing to endure difficult times to accomplish it.

You can't say we will and not dare to deal
You cannot indicate that we are committed to achieving something (with resolve and determination) without being brave enough to face the problems that come with it.

You can't shout out peace and then vanish in the crowd
You cannot loudly proclaim the desire for harmony and peaceful coexistence, but then disappear when it comes time to take action towards that goal.

You can't ride the storm without some effect
You cannot encounter a difficult situation and not be affected by it in some way (whether positively or negatively).

You can't steal the spoil and not pay the debt
You cannot reap the rewards of something (that is not solely yours) without being accountable for the consequences and obligations that come with it.

You can't wave a sign that spells "evil" and feel truly proud
You cannot display or promote something that is harmful, malevolent or unethical and still have a genuine sense of pride, satisfaction or fulfillment.

You can't sing a song with no melody
You cannot create or perform music without a basic structure or a recognizable pattern of pitches, notes and rhythms.

You can't say we're one without unity
You cannot claim that we are all connected and part of the same community or family, without fostering cooperation, collaboration and mutual support among all members.

You can't form a line if you're too scared to stand alone
You cannot join a group or a cause if you are too afraid to express your individuality, voice your opinions or take a stand for what you believe in.

You can't pray for grace and then smack her face
You cannot ask for forgiveness, kindness, or mercy and then act in a way that contradicts, offends or belittles those virtues.

You can't speak of hope and then crack a joke
You cannot talk about optimism, confidence or faith, and then make sarcastic, cynical or dismissive comments that undermine those qualities.

You can say you're there but time knows how much you've grown
You can claim that you are present, available, or involved, but eventually, your actions or changes over time will reveal the true depth, sincerity, or reliability of your commitment.

Put a face to your somebody
Give yourself an identity or a presence that represents who you really are or what you stand for, instead of hiding behind anonymity, conformity, or indifference.

Can you say your name?
Are you proud, confident, and authentic enough to introduce yourself and reveal your personal history, qualities, or aspirations?

Or would you rather stay unknown?
Do you prefer to remain unnoticed, unnoticed, or unrecognized, either out of shyness, fear, or modesty?

Can you show your face?
Are you willing and open enough to reveal your facial expressions, emotions, or reactions, without fear or inhibition?

Or are you fearful of it shown?
Are you afraid that showing your face would expose your vulnerabilities, insecurities, or weaknesses, or attract unwanted attention or criticism?

Can we feel your heart?
Can we empathize, connect or sense your emotions, values or intentions, either through your words, actions, or gestures?

Or does it beat for you alone?
Do you keep your feelings, desires, or beliefs to yourself, without sharing or expressing them to others, or without seeking feedback or validation?

Lift your glass up high
Raise your drink or your spirits to celebrate, honor, or acknowledge something worthwhile or meaningful.

Say that your truth will never lie
Affirm that you will always be honest, authentic, and truthful in expressing yourself, even if it means facing discomfort, criticism or rejection.

If your love cannot be moved
If your deep, genuine, and selfless love or compassion for others cannot be shaken, weakened or displaced by any obstacle, challenge or adversity.

You can't look at me and not see yourself
You cannot observe, interact or relate to someone else without recognizing, comparing or reflecting on your own identity, values or experiences.

You can't say "for them" and not for who else
You cannot claim to support, help, or advocate for a particular group, cause, or purpose, without also considering the impact, interests, and rights of other parties involved.

You can't truly bless and not bless the good of all
You cannot give something positive, meaningful or valuable to someone, without also aiming to benefit, improve, or uplift the entire community, society or environment.

You can't serve the rich and desert the poor
You cannot provide your resources, skills, or opportunities exclusively to a privileged, wealthy or powerful group, while ignoring, neglecting or oppressing the disadvantaged, marginalized, or vulnerable ones.

You can't hear their cries and just close your door
You cannot witness or be aware of someone's suffering, distress or pain, and not respond with empathy, kindness or support, just because it is not directly affecting you or because it is too overwhelming.

You can't say you're down and not take it to the wall
You cannot claim that you are willing to tackle, endure or overcome a challenge, without putting forth all your effort, strength or resilience, and without facing the consequences, risks, or sacrifices involved.

You can't benefit from one's detriment
You cannot gain advantage, profit, or satisfaction at the expense, harm or loss of someone else, without violating ethical or moral principles, and without experiencing guilt, shame or remorse.

You can't find the serum and not cure the sick
You cannot discover, invent or possess a solution, remedy, or treatment for a disease, problem or injustice, without applying it to the people who need it the most, and without striving for long-term, sustainable impact.

You can't free the slave to enslave them differently
You cannot liberate or emancipate someone from a form of oppression, tyranny or exploitation, if you end up subjecting them to another form of it, through ignorance, arrogance or indifference.

You can't see the right only from your sight
You cannot perceive, judge or evaluate what is correct or just, based solely on your own perspective, values or beliefs, without taking into account the diversity, complexity or ambiguity of other people's experiences, backgrounds or cultures.

You can't see the wrong and just go along
You cannot recognize or witness something that is unjust, harmful or unethical, and then remain apathetic, indifferent or complacent, without betraying your conscience, morality or humanity.

Or is that the way you would want your fate to read
Would you like to be remembered, judged or rewarded by how you behaved, treated, or impacted others, based on the principles, values and virtues that you hold dear?

You can't make a pledge and then flip the script
You cannot promise, commit or vow to something, and then abruptly or unexpectedly change your mind, attitude or direction, without breaking trust, respect or integrity.

You can't say the words and not move your lips
You cannot utter, articulate or speak something, without also aligning your actions, behaviors or thoughts with it, without raising doubts or suspicions about your sincerity, honesty or accountability.

You can't be confused and still say you understand
You cannot claim to know, comprehend or appreciate something, if you are unsure, uncertain or ignorant about its meaning, purpose or significance, without risking miscommunication, mistrust or misfortune.

You can't be a friend but not through thin and thick
You cannot be a true, loyal, and supportive friend, only during good times, fortunes or successes, but also during tough, challenging or heartbreaking moments, without demonstrating empathy, compassion or generosity.

You can't be a click but in danger split
You cannot form or belong to a clique or a group, that excludes, discriminates or ostracizes certain individuals or opinions, without perpetuating divisiveness, hostility or toxicity.

You can't evenly share and then grab the biggest hand
You cannot distribute, allocate, or divide resources, benefits or opportunities fairly or equally, and then selfishly or arbitrarily seek to take more than your share, without betraying equity, justice or morality.

You can't say you do but then show you don't
You cannot claim, promise, or assert that you will do something, without fulfilling or honoring your commitment or word, without risking disappointment, frustration or mistrust.

You can't say you will and make sure you won't
You cannot declare, affirm or pledge that you will do something firmly, enthusiastically or optimistically, and then purposely, negligently or hesitantly fail to make it happen, without betraying willpower, responsibility or accountability.

You can't want for change and not do what you need to do
You cannot desire, aspire or crave for a different, better or more fulfilling situation, without taking the necessary action, effort or initiative to make it happen, without risking regret, dissatisfaction or frustration.

You can't give up all and then take back all you give
You cannot sacrifice, renounce or forsake something valuable, essential or meaningful, and then later retrieve, reclaim or revoke it, without negating, betraying or minimizing the value, impact, or significance of what you gave up.

You can't live to die but you can die to live
You cannot exist, survive or thrive solely for the purpose, convenience or pleasure of yourself, without making a positive, meaningful or impactful change, contribution or service to others, without risking insignificance, emptiness or despair.

Ah, If your love cannot be moved
If your deep, genuine, and selfless love or compassion for others cannot be shaken, weakened or displaced by any obstacle, challenge or adversity.