This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
There's been a lot of talk of love
But that don't amount to nothing
You can invoke the stars above
But that doesn't make it something
And the only way to last
And the only way to live it
Is to hold on when you get love
And let go when you give it, give it
It's a pretty melody
It might help you through the night time
But it doesn't make it easy
To leave the party at the right time
If I'm frightened, if I'm high
It's my weakness, please forgive it
At least I hold on when I get love
And I let go when I give it, give it, give it
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Let go when you give it)
What do I do?
The world won't listen to this song
And the radio won't play it
But if you like it sing along
Sing 'cause you don't know how to say it
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love
So you can let go when you give it
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love
So you can let go when you give it, give it, give it
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Let go when you give it)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do?
I know it's true, at least I think I do
Nothing that you say or do will make you love me
Forget the song (I know that it's true), things will go on
I keep seeing you from the dark with you above me
I know it's true (I know that it's true), at least I think I do
Nothing that you say or do will make you love me
Forget the song (I know that it's true), things will go on
I keep seeing you from the dark with you above me
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love,
So you can let go when you give it.
Give it, give it, give it, give it, give it, give it.
But that don't amount to nothing
You can invoke the stars above
But that doesn't make it something
And the only way to last
And the only way to live it
Is to hold on when you get love
And let go when you give it, give it
It's a pretty melody
It might help you through the night time
But it doesn't make it easy
To leave the party at the right time
If I'm frightened, if I'm high
It's my weakness, please forgive it
At least I hold on when I get love
And I let go when I give it, give it, give it
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Let go when you give it)
What do I do?
The world won't listen to this song
And the radio won't play it
But if you like it sing along
Sing 'cause you don't know how to say it
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love
So you can let go when you give it
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love
So you can let go when you give it, give it, give it
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Let go when you give it)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do?
I know it's true, at least I think I do
Nothing that you say or do will make you love me
Forget the song (I know that it's true), things will go on
I keep seeing you from the dark with you above me
I know it's true (I know that it's true), at least I think I do
Nothing that you say or do will make you love me
Forget the song (I know that it's true), things will go on
I keep seeing you from the dark with you above me
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love,
So you can let go when you give it.
Give it, give it, give it, give it, give it, give it.
Lyrics submitted by tCiY, edited by Ninjastar, CountNicholas
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I completely agree with migmol in the previous post regarding the interpretation of the main theme. If I can take it to a spiritual level: Being able to receive unconditional love from God can make you permanently secure/confident/complete/mature enough to give Love without expecting return. In keeping the spiritual vein, God's strength is perfected in our weakness if we rely on him, so God actually does take the weakest thing in us and then use it to beat the bastards (Death, Hate, Hopelessness, Satan, etc). This allows us to then hold on to love and then give it away fully. The Old Book even says God is Love...