I have known this preacherman
For a long time, he was a good man
I have known this judge
For a long time, he was a good man
I've 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's going down the drain
We cannot stand aside and look
While the nation's going down the drain

Up with hope (Up with hope)
Down with dope (Down with dope)
Up with hope (Up with hope)
Down with dope (Down with dope)
Up with hope (Up with hope)
Down with dope (Down with dope)

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 (Cocaine)
No good for you (No good for you)
Liquor (Liquor)
No good for you (No good for you)
You go sniffling them glue
No good for you (No good for you)
They give it to you and say, "It's the sense of knowledge"
But I've known, I've been around for a while

I cannot stand aside and look
While the nation's going down the drain
I say, I cannot stand aside and look
While the nation's going down the drain
Oh, yo-yo-yo-yo-yo

Up with hope (Up with hope)
Down with dope (Down with dope)
Up with hope (Up with hope)
Down with dope (Down with dope)
I say, up with hope (up with hope)
Down with dope (Down with dope)
Up with hope (Up with hope)
Down with dope (Down with dope)
Up with hope (Up with hope)...