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"

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

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

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

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

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