You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me

broken?

B o
w ed he a d an d l o w
e re d
es?
Sh o
uld ers f al
li ng down lik
e tear
drops,
Wea ke
ned by m
y s oulf ul cries?

D o
es m y ha u
gh
tin es s offe
nd yo u?
Do n't yo u ta ke it a w f ul h rd
’Cau
se I la
ugh like I've got go
ld mi
nes
Dig
gin’ in my o
n back
yard.

You m
ay sh o
ot me w i t h y
o u r wor
ds,
You m
y cu
t m e wi
th your ey
es,
You may k
ill me with
your hate
fulne
ss,

Do
es my s ex in
ess up
set you?
Do
es it com
e a s a surp
rise
Tha
t I danc
e li ke I'v e g ot d i a
mo nds
At the me e t
in g of my th i
ghs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame

I rise

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.