"Pick It Up" lyrics - KRS-ONE

KRS-ONE

"Pick It Up"

Get up! What we slowin' down for?
Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!
We got a whole nation to restore
Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!
We gotta really love each other more
Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!
When you see my CD in the store
Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!

It's the teacher, class is open G
Let's get open on the concept of votin, we
Begin the discussion by viewin democracy
People power, a people ruled philosophy
Democracy is a system of government
Where the whole population is the sum of it
Where the government can't move without it's people
Where before the law everybody's equal
But take a look at the police and how they treat you
Take a look at these corporations that cheat you
Democrats and Republicans are all see-through
Now we votin for the lesser of two evils
Man, don't let 'em deceive you
This is an autocracy, not a democracy
But to call this a democracy without mock interest
In the laws of society, that's called hypocrisy!

Democracy only happened one time
In European history, now keep this in mind
It was practiced in Athens overseas
In 508 B.C. by Cleisthenes

Citizens would get together on a hillside
And decide how and if they was gonna ride
But in 322 B.C. here's what happened
Alexander of Macedon conquered Athens

And that was the end of democracy
Where the people had a say in their society
Today, we gotta get more knowledge
And learn about the function of the electoral college

It doesn't matter who you vote for today
The electoral college has the last say
But that's another day, here's what I came to say
Rise up!

In corporate sponsored elections, who's winnin'?
This the wrong direction from the beginnin'
Every candidate got scandal, they all sinnin'
Tryin' to convince you, tellin' you what they been in

But the real issues, they get avoided
While our children still gettin' exploited
Heh, they call me Blast-master Kris
Edutainment, that's what my tactic is

Some criticize Kris, some laugh at Kris
But you can't say Kris is not an activist
Social justice, I got a pasion for this
'Cause equal rights we still askin' for this

So when I do my tours it's not just rappin' for Kris
I'm givin' you more than gun packin' with this
I'm openin' doors, you should be askin' 'bout this
You listenin' to them whores and them capitalists

They game is tight, got you trapped into this
It won't be long before the ring you like have to kiss
That's why I'm a activist

I help people not to get trapped in this
The temptation? You gettin' wrapped in this
So get up, stop sittin' like a PACIFIST
Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, PICK IT UP, PICK IT UP!

Maximum Strength (2008)