I'll Rise

Breaking up in my front yard
You may tread me down in the very dirt

I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise

You may cut me with your eyes
Yes I'll rise
And I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Rise, rise
Rise, rise
I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Pumping in my living room
'Coz I laugh like I've got an oil well
Weakened by my soulful cries
So you may shoot me with your words
Why are you beset with gloom

Out of the shacks of history's shame
I'm gonna rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Does my happiness upset you
You may cut me with your eyes
You may write me down in history

Rise, rise
Why are you beset with gloom

I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Rise, rise
Digging up in my living room
I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
With your bitter twisted lies
Rise, rise
And I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise

And still like the dust I'll rise
You may shoot me with your words
Don't you take it awful hard
You may cut me with your eyes
You may cut me with your eyes

And I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
And still like the dust I'll rise
So you may shoot me with your words
So you may shoot me with your words
'Coz I walk like I've got a diamond mine
Up from a past rooted in pain
'Coz I laugh like I've got a goldmine
I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Rise, rise
Up from a past rooted in pain
And I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Bowed head and lowered eyes

Shoulders fallen down like tear drops
Does my confidence upset you
Up from a past rooted in pain

Now did you want to see me broken

Rise, rise
You may tread me down in the very dirt
Does my happiness upset you
Rise, rise
Rise, rise

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