New Day
Wyclef Jean Lyrics


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What we gon' do right now is go back, way back

Bring in the groove



I want to dedicate this to those who never made it
>From kindergarten to the 12th I never graduated

Yo but college wasn't for some of us

So we joined the service

I seen a kid get murdered in Nam listening to Elvis

But on the out looking in

Things stay the same

But at the same vein

Looking out the whole world's changed

So keep your head up

Don't get caught up in the fast bucks

And find your mom crying while your lying in a black tux

Trust me



We don't need no education says a young man

Sitting in class (sitting in class)

School is out 3 o'clock on the dot

He had beef with some kids and he got shot, oh Lord



Turn on the television

I'm watching Martin Luther King who had a dream, oh

So take this dream and apply it to your life

Even though we know the ghetto's rough

But we got to



1 - Keep your head up

(Uh keep your head up)

Cause a new day will come

(Uh-huh, uh-huh)

And look towards the sun

(Look towards the sun)

Even when the darkness shall come



(Ooh) It's real son

(Ooh) To my people living Life it's real son



I turn the page

What's the news today

People getting fired, walking on a wire

Looting on the streets cause the kid's gotta eat

Oh, oh turn around and look at the hour glass

I gotta get it straight

Before it's too late

Cause I don't want to be behind that gates



Keep your head up

(Uh keep your head up)

Cause a new day will come

(Uh-huh, uh-huh)

And look towards the sun

Even when the darkness shall come



2 - All my people in the back

Mama, mama

You know you raised me with no father figure

(Didn't ya)

I want to take this time to thank you

For giving me life, oh yeah

Mama, mama

You know you raised me with no father figure

(Didn't ya)

I want to take this time to thank you

Even though I'm doing Life

Alright



(Ooh) It's real son, alright

(Ooh) Can't flee

(Ooh)All my people doing time

(Ooh)People in the back playing cards

(Ooh)Don't lose your money yeah

Yeah tell them don't lose your money, c'mon, c'mon



Repeat 1



Repeat 2



(Ooh) For my people doing time (alright)





(Ooh) For my people doing time (alright)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wyclef Jean and Bono’s song “New Day” touch on issues of perseverance and struggle, particularly for those who never made it through the educational system. The song also addresses issues of violence and poverty in communities, with a call to keep one’s head up and move towards a brighter future. The first verse speaks to the experiences of those who never received a diploma or degree, referring to the military as an alternative path. The lyrics depict the horrors of war and the impact of violence on youth, highlighting the pervasive nature of struggle in communities.


The second verse draws on the imagery of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, urging listeners to apply the dream of equality and justice in their daily lives. The chorus repeats the call to keep one’s head up and have faith in a new day, even during times of darkness, while the bridge pays homage to single mothers who have raised children without a father figure.


Overall, the song is a reflection on the struggles and obstacles that many individuals face, particularly those in marginalized communities, and a call to persevere and hold onto hope for a brighter future.


Line by Line Meaning

What we gon' do right now is go back, way back Bring in the groove
Let's reminisce about old times and get into a nostalgic mood.


I want to dedicate this to those who never made it >From kindergarten to the 12th I never graduated Yo but college wasn't for some of us So we joined the service I seen a kid get murdered in Nam listening to Elvis But on the out looking in Things stay the same But at the same vein Looking out the whole world's changed So keep your head up Don't get caught up in the fast bucks And find your mom crying while your lying in a black tux Trust me
This song is dedicated to those who faced obstacles in life and couldn't complete formal education. Some of us joined the military and witnessed terrible things. Despite things staying the same, the outside world is changing. Don't get too caught up in chasing money and material things, or else you'll end up dead and your mother will be crying at your funeral.


We don't need no education says a young man Sitting in class (sitting in class) School is out 3 o'clock on the dot He had beef with some kids and he got shot, oh Lord
A young man, frustrated with the education system, declares that he doesn't need education. He then leaves school but ends up getting shot due to some disputes with other kids.


Turn on the television I'm watching Martin Luther King who had a dream, oh So take this dream and apply it to your life Even though we know the ghetto's rough But we got to
Watch Martin Luther King's famous speech and apply his message of hope and equality to your own life, despite the difficulties of living in a tough neighborhood.


1 - Keep your head up (Uh keep your head up) Cause a new day will come (Uh-huh, uh-huh) And look towards the sun (Look towards the sun) Even when the darkness shall come
Keep pushing through difficult times and always look towards a better future, even when things seem dark and hopeless.


(Ooh) It's real son (Ooh) To my people living Life it's real son I turn the page What's the news today People getting fired, walking on a wire Looting on the streets cause the kid's gotta eat Oh, oh turn around and look at the hour glass I gotta get it straight Before it's too late Cause I don't want to be behind that gates
Life is hard and it's tough to make a living. Things like people getting laid off, people stealing, and time ticking away make it important for me to get my life together before I get locked up.


2 - All my people in the back Mama, mama You know you raised me with no father figure (Didn't ya) I want to take this time to thank you For giving me life, oh yeah Mama, mama You know you raised me with no father figure (Didn't ya) I want to take this time to thank you Even though I'm doing Life Alright
Shoutout to all the people out there with absent fathers, especially to my mother who raised me without a father figure. I want to thank you for giving me life, and I love you even though I'm doing time in prison.


(Ooh) It's real son, alright (Ooh) Can't flee (Ooh)All my people doing time (Ooh)People in the back playing cards (Ooh)Don't lose your money yeah Yeah tell them don't lose your money, c'mon, c'mon
Being in prison is hard and there's no escape from it. Shoutout to all my people who are serving time or playing cards in the back. Don't lose your money while gambling.


Repeat 1 Repeat 2 (Ooh) For my people doing time (alright) (Ooh) For my people doing time (alright)
Repeating the chorus twice as a reminder to keep pushing forward, and a vow of support and love to all the people serving prison time.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WYCLEF JEAN, JERRY DUPLESSIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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