I'll Rise

Rise, rise
I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Does my confidence upset you

Out of the shacks of history's shame

Rise, rise

You may cut me with your eyes
Up from a past rooted in pain

'Coz I laugh like I've got a goldmine
Shoulders fallen down like tear drops
Why are you beset with gloom
Breaking up in my front yard

Does my happiness upset you
I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Up from a past rooted in pain
So you may shoot me with your words
So you may shoot me with your words
Bowed head and lowered eyes
Rise, rise
Yes I'll rise
And I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Rise, rise
Now did you want to see me broken

I'm gonna rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
And I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Up from a past rooted in pain
Rise, rise

Up from a past rooted in pain
Rise, rise
Out of the shacks of history's shame

Rise, rise
Digging up in my living room
Weakened by my soulful cries
Rise, rise
You may shoot me with your words
Out of the shacks of history's shame
I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
You may write me down in history
You may cut me with your eyes
Why are you beset with gloom
So you may shoot me with your words
Rise, rise
'Coz I laugh like I've got an oil well
Pumping in my living room

And still like the dust I'll rise
And still like the dust I'll rise
You may tread me down in the very dirt
Don't you take it awful hard

You may tread me down in the very dirt
You may cut me with your eyes
With your bitter twisted lies
You may cut me with your eyes
Does my happiness upset you
'Coz I walk like I've got a diamond mine
Out of the shacks of history's shame
I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
And I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
And I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise