I'll Rise

You may write me down in history

With your bitter twisted lies

You may tread me down in the very dirt

And still like the dust I'll rise

Does my happiness upset you

Why are you beset with gloom

'Coz I laugh like I've got an oil well

Pumping in my living room

So you may shoot me with your words

You may cut me with your eyes

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

Rise, rise

Out of the shacks of history's shame

Up from a past rooted in pain

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

Rise, rise

Now did you want to see me broken

Bowed head and lowered eyes

Shoulders fallen down like tear drops

Weakened by my soulful cries

Does my confidence upset you

Don't you take it awful hard

'Coz I walk like I've got a diamond mine

Breaking up in my front yard

So you may shoot me with your words

You may cut me with your eyes

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

Rise, rise

Out of the shacks of history's shame

Up from a past rooted in pain

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

Rise, rise

You may write me down in history

With your bitter twisted lies

You may tread me down in the very dirt

And still like the dust I'll rise

Does my happiness upset you

Why are you beset with gloom

'Coz I laugh like I've got a goldmine

Digging up in my living room

So you may shoot me with your words

You may cut me with your eyes

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

Rise, rise

Out of the shacks of history's shame

Up from a past rooted in pain

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

Rise, rise

Yes I'll rise

You may shoot me with your words

You may cut me with your eyes

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

Rise, rise

Out of the shacks of history's shame

Up from a past rooted in pain

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

Rise, rise

I'm gonna rise, I'll rise, I'll rise

Rise, rise

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

Rise, rise