Wanna listen to the radio, can't listen to the radio
'Cause radio don't play music anonyre
I wanna turn on the evening news, I can't turn on the evening news, no
'Cause life ain't all about sex game, no and celebrity blues
Wanna take a joyride
Drop down to the countryside
CEOs are getting richer at the gas pump on my dime
Look out my window, backstreets and alleyways
The men in blue, they arrest the youth when they've done good

This is the state of the union
This is the state of (hey, I just wanna rise up) the union
Gonna rise up, rise up
This is the state of (hey, I just wanna rise up) the union
Gonna rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up
This is the state of the union

Heard they burned a boy in Southern Florida
Over a simple game, will he ever be the same
And on the South Side, up in Chicago
I heard they beat a boy to death who meant no trouble
Assassination, I just don't understand
'Cause when you fight for peace that's when they gun you down
All rise for Lincoln, all rise for MLK
All rise for Lennon, all rise for the Kennedys
Stand for unity, equality, stand up to be free

This is the state of
This is the state of (hey, I just wanna rise up) the union
Gonna rise up, rise up
This is the state of (hey, I just wanna rise up) the union
Gonna rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up

And on the South Side, up in Chicago
I heard they beat a boy to death who meant no trouble
Assassination, I just don't understand
'Cause when you fight for peace that's when they gun you down

This is the state of (hey, I just wanna rise up) the union
Gonna rise up, rise up
This is the state of (hey, I just wanna rise up) the union
Gonna rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up
Rise up, rise up