When I was just a young boy, I had to work hard `cause my daddy was gone
My momma said `Son, life is never easy
And if you wanna win then you gotta be strong`, I gotta be strong
I heard her say `It ain`t ever black or white
But when it`s time to choose, I know you`ll do what`s right
You gotta stand up and fight`
Chorus:
Give it up - give it up, give it everything you got
Give it all, if you wanna take it to the top
Give it up - give it up, `cause you know there`ll come a time
When you gotta lay it, lay it, lay it, you gotta lay it on the line
Well I was only fifteen, when I heard that rock `n` roll sound
(Oh what a sound)
I bought a secondhand six-string, and I played it outta that neon town
I still recall those old words from yesterday, I pick up that old guitar
And every time I play, I can still hear her say
chorus
(Instrumental break)
I remember those hard times, I always had to fight just to make it through
Now it`s all behind me, but those old words still ring true
Still ring true now
The more it changes, the more it stays the same
And boy, I`m telling you, if you wanna play the game
The lesson`s still the same