Celebrate
Wyclef Jean Lyrics

Ladies and gentleman, the preacher's son
Introducing oneself while tying oneself to one's father's legacy

Patti LaBelle is in the building
Celebrating the presence of a well-known and respected musician

Let's celebrate, have a basement party
Encouraging others to enjoy themselves, especially in a casual setting

A barbeque how we used to do
Recalling past times where gatherings centered around cooking outdoors

On the avenue, have a family reunion
Reminiscing about coming together with loved ones on a street or in a neighborhood

Man, how I miss those days
Expressing nostalgia for a time that has long passed

When the kids was kids, no knives on the street
Remembering a safer time in one's community, where violence was not as prevalent

When the ice cream man came around the way
Nostalgically recalling a time when treats like ice cream were enjoyed by all

Lord, Miss Patti, won't you help me sing
Requesting assistance from someone respected and admired in the music industry

Lord knows how I miss those days
Acknowledging the impact the past has on oneself, while expressing a sense of longing

Dressing up for church on Easter Sunday (how I miss those days)
Remembering how special events were prepared for, and how people dressed up for church

Doing the electric slide at every party (how I miss those days)
Recalling joyful times where people danced and celebrated at social gatherings

Oh, if only you knew, what I've been through (you would celebrate)
Alluding to one's own personal struggles and expressing how others would appreciate and recognize them if they knew

Get up, you would celebrate (celebrate, everything's gonna be ok, how I miss those days)
Encouraging others to get up and enjoy themselves, while recognizing that everything will be okay

I came in this game through the back door (get up)
Acknowledging that one wasn't initially accepted into a certain group, but still found a way in

I know LaBelle, we were so much more (get up)
Recalling a relationship with someone respected and how it helped elevate oneself

We worked it, and earned it, God knows we deserved it (get up)
Expressing pride in one's accomplishments and hard work

Keep on striving, I know you'll make it
Encouragement for others to keep pushing forward

I'm gon' box these niggaz
Making a proclamation to fight against those who oppose oneself

Take home on a number one belt (get up)
Expressing a desire to win and be recognized as the best

We gonna pop that thug, oh no, to celebrate the wealth (get up)
Using violence to achieve success and wealth, and celebrating it with others

See, I'm a take that hay and turn it into loot
Using one's resources to find success and make money

'Cause who ever God blessed no man can test (get up)
Recognizing that God is the source of one's blessings and that no one can take them away

What goes up must surely come down, yes
Acknowledging that everything has a peak and eventually declines

So watch who you hurt on your way up
Cautioning others to be careful about who they upset, as it could come back to hurt them later on

'Cause they'll be laughing at you on your way down
Recognizing that people will take pleasure in one's downfall if one mistreats them

Tell the judge we don't want incarceration
Asking for leniency from a judge when it comes to punishment, and promoting a spirit of forgiveness

Cause we came for the celebration, hey
Making it clear that the focus is on celebrating, not getting in trouble with the law

So let the women and the children eat first
Upholding the tradition of prioritizing those who need to be taken care of before oneself

'Cause it's been so long since a celebration, Cassidy
Identifying oneself and expressing how it's been a long time since people truly celebrated like this

This Cassidy, let's celebrate (oh)
Making a statement of intent to celebrate

I'm selling weed and got hella cake
Describing oneself and a successful enterprise

And I still got the dog in my backyard
Referencing a pet and perhaps one's humble beginnings

It's hamburgers, hot dogs in the back row (get up)
Recalling a casual, backyard barbecue

On the grill we cooking it all up
Working hard to prepare food for everyone's enjoyment

My mom got skills, she hooking it all up
Praising one's mother and her impressive culinary abilities

Man, it feels like back in the days
Expressing nostalgia for a certain time in one's life

When cats wasn't clapping to K's
Remembering a time before guns and violence were prevalent in one's community

And hood rats was acting they age (get up)
Recalling a time when people didn't act as old as they claim to be

Clef and the rest of the game with me
Acknowledging one's fellow crew members and promoting a spirit of solidarity

And me and Miss LaBelle, we rep the same city (get up)
Celebrating a shared hometown and one's connections within the music industry

Philly, home of the blunts and the cheese steaks
Acknowledging the distinctive elements of one's hometown and promoting its culture

And I cannot be stopped, like I need breaks (get up)
Expressing confidence and determination, and dismissing the need for rest or breaks

Celebrate (you would celebrate), everything's gonna be ok, how I miss those days (get up)
Repeating the call to celebrate, while expressing nostalgia and confidence that things will be okay

You would celebrate, everybody just celebrate, how I miss those days
Encouraging everyone to come together and rejoice while acknowledging a sense of longing for past times