why must all people keep on shooting and robbing, why
why must all people keep on killing and fighting
no, not I, I and I would never try

repeat

and why must the rich man, keep on hoarding all the money
and why must this poor man, my livin' ain't very funny
no, not I, I and I would never try

repeat

try to live that way
and what did jah show them
I and I survive
they tried to stop this nation
but I and I survive
to chant down creation
I and I survive
and Israel a nation.