Lift up your heads, o ye gates
And be ye lifted up, ye ever livin' black people
The King of glory shall come inArise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyselfWe've been sittin' in the dirt too long
And it seems we don't know when we're right or wrong
But help me sing my song, Blackman ariseArise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyself right now
Arise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyselfFor the moon shall turn into blood
And the rivers turn into flood
And the sun will never shine, Blackman ariseArise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyselfRemember we've been down here as slaves
And to get a little job you have to trim and shave
Your heaven becomes your grave, Blackman ariseArise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyself
Arise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyselfFor the time of rights is now
And you don't have to ask me how
You've got to make a move, Blackman ariseArise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyself right now
Arise Blackman, arise
Arise and denote thyselfEvery man on earth is a man
And every tub have to stand on its own bottom
No matter where you're from, Blackman ariseSo arise Blackman, arise