Hold On
Yes Lyrics


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Justice to the left of you
Justice to the right
Speak when you are spoken to
Don't pretend you're right
This life's not for living
It's for fighting and for war
No matter what the truth is
Hold on to what is yours

Jigsaw puzzle traitors
Set to spill the beans
Constitution screw up
Shattering the dreams
Blood flows in the desert
Dark citadels burning too
Watch! Look over your shoulder
This one is strictly for you

Hold on
Hold on
Wait maybe the answer's
Looking for you

Hold on
Hold on
Wait! Take you time
Think it through
Yes! I can make it through

Hold on
Hold on
Sunshine shine on through
Hold on
Hold on
Sunshine shine on you

See it through

Talk the simple smile
Such platonic eye
How they drown in incomplete capacity
Strangest of them all
When the feeling calls
How we drown in stylistic audacity
Charge the common ground
Round and round and round
We living in gravity

Shake
We shake so hard
How we laugh so loud
When we reach
We believe in eternity

I believe in eternity

Hold on
Hold on
Wait
Take your time Sunshine shine on through
See it through
Hold on
Hold on
Wait
Maybe a chance Sunshine shine on through
Is looking for you Sunshine shine on you

Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on

Sunshine
Shine on shine on you
Sunshine
Shine on through
Sunshine
Shine on shine on through
Sunshine
Shine on you

Sunshine
Shine on
Shine on you Hold on - Hold on
Sunshine
Shine on through Wait - Take your time
See it through
Sunshine
Shine on
Shine on through Hold on - Hold on




Sunshine
Shine on you Wait - Maybe the answer's looking for you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Yes's song "Hold On" seem to explore themes of justice, war, and perseverance. The first few lines of the song paint a picture of a divided, conflicted world in which justice seems to be at odds with itself. The repeated phrase "hold on" seems to suggest a message of perseverance in the face of these challenges. The lyrics also touch on the idea of spilling secrets and the betrayal that can come with it. The reference to the "Constitution screw up" could suggest a political context.


The middle section of the song takes a more abstract turn, with references to drowning, stylistic audacity, and living in gravity. These lines may be open to interpretation, but they seem to communicate a sense of feeling overwhelmed or constrained by the world. The lyrics return to the message of perseverance toward the end of the song, with repeated affirmations that "sunshine" will shine on and that waiting and thinking things through are key to success.


Line by Line Meaning

Justice to the left of you
There is a sense of oppression on one side of you


Justice to the right
There is a sense of oppression on the other side of you


Speak when you are spoken to
You should listen more than speak


Don't pretend you're right
Don't be arrogant


This life's not for living
Life is not just a leisurely activity


It's for fighting and for war
One has to struggle to truly live rather than just exist


No matter what the truth is
The truth may not be absolute


Hold on to what is yours
Hold onto what you believe in


Jigsaw puzzle traitors
People with a double-sided nature


Set to spill the beans
They are set to reveal information they shouldn't


Constitution screw up
A mistake in the constitution


Shattering the dreams
Crushing someone's aspirations


Blood flows in the desert
There is violence in the desert


Dark citadels burning too
Even the strongest defenses can be broken


Watch! Look over your shoulder
Stay vigilant


This one is strictly for you
This message is meant specifically for you


Wait maybe the answer's
Be patient and the solution will come to you


Looking for you
The solution is searching for you


Sunshine shine on through
Keep a positive outlook


Wait! Take your time
Be patient and deliberate


Think it through
Consider all perspectives


Yes! I can make it through
I am strong enough to overcome


See it through
Stay persistent until the end


Talk the simple smile
Communicate kindly and genuinely


Such platonic eye
Eyes that show no romantic interest


How they drown in incomplete capacity
People struggle when they cannot fully express themselves


Strangest of them all
The most peculiar among everyone


When the feeling calls
When one is inspired to act


How we drown in stylistic audacity
We can get lost in our own sense of style


Charge the common ground
Find common ground


Round and round and round
Cycles repeat themselves


We living in gravity
We are subject to the laws of physics, just like everyone else


Shake we shake so hard
We shake with excitement and enthusiasm


How we laugh so loud
Expressing joy in a boisterous manner


When we reach
When we achieve our goals


We believe in eternity
We hold onto faith in something that goes beyond time


Hold on - Hold on
Persist amidst difficulty


Sunshine shine on shine on you
Remain positive and hopeful


Maybe a chance
There may be an opportunity to take


Is looking for you
The opportunity may be searching for you




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Downtown Music Publishing, Musicnotes, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TREVOR RABIN, JON ANDERSON, CHRIS SQUIRE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

nickavenoso78

Trevor brought new life and energy into the band, imho. The Rabin era has some of my favorite material, like Changes, I’m Running, Endless Dream and so many others. The band was truly on fire during this era. I’ve always loved how present Chris was on all of the Rabin era albums, that being vocally and his playing on bass.

Kimberly Angle

Exactly. Rabin brought out something in Squire. I wish there was more Squire on vocals thru the years.
I've loved yes since I was 8, that's 36 years. Love many incarnations of but big generator is my fave closely followed by 90215.
They're amazing

Christopher Butler

Changes is one of my all time favorite tunes ever

The R&B Show

Trevor and Chris’s onstage chemistry was palpable during this era. Greatness all around.

Michael D

Absolutely !

Izadora Jalles

R.I.P Alan White.... the best drummer to me. I always remember you. Yes is the greatest group of progressive rock. I love you all.
From Brazil 💙🇧🇷

David Rosato

Well said!

Gicela De Carvalho

The boss Cris Squire went first.

Gicela De Carvalho

The best drummer to
me was also. His name is Neil Peart of Rush

Jürg Hölzle

@Gicela De Carvalho And Carl Palmer from ELP.

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