Up With Hope (Down With Dope)
Lucky Dube · House Of Exile [1992]
For a long time, he was a good man
I have known this judge
For a long time, he was a good man
I have known this teacher
For a long time, he was a good man too
But because of the drugs
They've been taking secretly
Them are in loony houses today
We cannot stand aside and look
While the nation is going down the drain (x2)
Up with hope, down with dope (x3)
We cannot stand aside and look
While the nation is going down the drain.
We really, really cannot stand aside and look while
the nation is going down the drain
Oh Yo
I am telling you now
Cocaine, no good for you
Liquor, no good for you
You go sniffling them glue
No good for you
They give it to you and say it's the sense of knowledge
But I known I've been around
For a while
I cannot stand aside
And look while the nation (x2)
Is going down the drain
Oh yo yo yo
Chorus till fade:
Up with hope, down with dope
Up With Hope (Down With Dope)
Lucky Dube's 'Up With Hope (Down With Dope)' stands as a defining anthem of South African hip-hop, released on the landmark 1992 album 'House Of Exile'. The track exemplifies the genre's fusion of reggae rhythms and socially conscious lyricism, addressing the harsh realities of the country's socio-political landscape while advocating for unity and resilience. As a cornerstone of the artist's early discography, the recording helped establish Dube as a pivotal voice in Afrobeat and hip-hop, influencing a generation of musicians to tackle themes of poverty, crime, and community empowerment through their music. Its enduring popularity reflects its ability to transcend specific cultural contexts, resonating globally as a powerful statement on hope amidst adversity.