Peter Gabriel – Don't Give Up

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Send "Don't Give Up" Ringtone to Cell

In this proud land we grew up strong
We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail

No fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
But no one wants you when you lose

Don't give up
'Cos you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up
I know you can make it good

Though I saw it all around
Never thought I could be affected
Thought that we'd be the last to go
It is so strange the way things turn

Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lakeside
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground

Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up
We don't need much of anything
Don't give up
'Cause somewhere there's a place
Where we belong

Rest your head
You worry too much
It's going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Don't give up
Please don't give up

'Got to walk out of here
I can't take anymore
Going to stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That river's flowing
That river's flowing

Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job, so many men
So many men no-one needs

Don't give up
'Cause you have friends
Don't give up
You're not the only one
Don't give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don't give up
You still have us
Don't give up now
We're proud of who you are
Don't give up
You know it's never been easy
Don't give up
'Cause I believe there's the a place
There's a place where we belong

Send "Don't Give Up" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by Novartza

Track duration: 08:30


Don't Give Up song meanings
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25 Comments

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  • 0
    Song Meaning:I just wanted to comment on a live version of this song where Peter Gabriel says the following (exactly): "song about a man and a woman faced with the problem of losing a job, it's called 'Don't Give Up'", in case someone is still in doubt.

    Ref: petergabriel.com/so25/ (You will actually have to listen to the song to hear...)

    To me, though, the song will still be an amazing song with all the other meanings too.
    Flag RoyGon March 18, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I feel the need to mention the video for this song. There are two videos, but the only one I've seen is the two singers, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, hugging each other for as long as the song lasts (about 5 minutes). I have to mention it because I think it's beautiful (and, I have to admit, makes me jealous of Kate!).

    Anyway, about the actual song? I think everyone pretty much covered it. It's about going through hard times such as unemployment or other situations, and being told not to give up. Very inspiring.
    Flag EnduringChillon March 29, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When i came home from 2 years as a soldier in a forreign country i felt i was alone in the world and was on the bringe of commiting suicide when i suddenly found a fantastic girl who accepted my closed personality and accepted to spend several years on me and my condition. I love her by whole my hearth (And have done for 8 years now). We often sit in the garden in the night and listen to this song together with "come talk to me" as it was this song that brought us together and maybe in some way kept me from taking the last step.
    Flag Ludomaniaon March 23, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I was unemployed in the 80s and yes of course this song can cover that. But its far more general, universal than that and can apply to any situation of potential despair. I swapped songs with a friend earlier this year and when I recived this it actually helped to give me the strength to walk away from a terrible situation that had been weakening me for years.(my marriage )
    I will always be grateful for my friend letting me hear this song and being able to gather my resources to fight on.
    Flag sdevwevon October 26, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song was written as the British coal miners strike entered its second year. It describes the utter destruction of the mining industry by Thatcher, the desolate impact on once macho workers and the increasing importance of the women who managed by hook or by crook to keep families and whole communities ticking over.
    Flag Leftsideon May 14, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:guys, the song is about being unemployed due to the way the Tory government tore up half the country in the 1980s, prefering to save a preferential group of their voters and forgetting the rest.

    And to think a big bunch of idiots just voted them in again... but thats another story.
    Flag RivJohnsonon February 04, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:One of the deepest songs I ve heard,the emotions of the unlucky unemployed go through such hopelessness and disillussionment in africa where i come from. Very encouraging that the persona has someone who understands "you still have us.."I ve gone through it but there comes a time when it ends and life has a new beginning. Hang on, tears endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. Seasons come and seasons go. Our maker stands for ever....Keep encouraging them Peter.
    Flag harikamison December 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:This website is great. After reading these comments it truly is about unemployment. The main character feels hopeless probably has responsibility in his life like a family and is truly lost to the point that he contemplates suicide but the chorus is his conscience, the holy spirit, an angel telling him to keep going on.

    The line " we don't need much of anything " is very christian/buddist philosophy.
    Flag Nels4r2on December 09, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:I believe that what makes an amazing artist is the ability to write about a topic or an issue but write in such a way that any reader can relate it to their life. All lyrics have meaning. Even Pavement and The Pixies lyrics are meaningful or trying to get across a point. Its just how each of us interpret those lyrics.

    Flag Nels4r2on December 09, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I finally got a chuckle out of this website! People take themselves soooo seriously!
    I liked OzzyStillbourne's comment about this song simply being about searching for something [like] happiness, SOLITUDE, or your car keys and whatnot...
    I think that a lot of songs really aren't "about" anything - it's more a matter of getting the vocals to sound right and sort-of tell a story. Good song lyrics (like Gabriel's 'Don't Give Up') allow listeners to pick and choose parts of it to apply to something in thier own lives.
    I'm going to put this song on and look for loose change & whatnot under the couch cushions.
    Flagged OzzyBourneStillon November 20, 2010   Link

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