Ben Harper Album

Words and music by Ben Harper

I'm more afraid of living than I am scared to die.
I'm more afraid of falling than I am of flying high.

Every moral has a story and every story has an end.
Every battle has its glory and its consequence.

I'm more afraid of loving than I am of being scorned,
being scorned.
But I will keep on trying though I have been forwarned.

Every moral has a story and every story has an end.
Every battle has its glory and its consequence,
and its consequence.

I would rather me be lonely and you have someone to hold.

Words by Ben Harper - music by Ben Harper / JP Plunier

Oh, excuse me Mr.
Do you have the time,
Or are you so important that it stands still (for you).
Excuse me Mr.
Want you lend me your ear,
Or are you not only blind but do you not hear.
Excuse me Mr.
But isn't that your oil in the sea,
And the pollution in the air Mr.,
Whose could that be.

So, excuse me Mr.
But I'm a mister too.
And you're givin' Mr. a bad name,
Mr. like you.
So, I'm taking the Mr. from out in front of your name,
'cause it's a Mr. like you that puts the rest of us to shame.
It's a Mr. like you that puts the rest of us to shame.

And I've seen enough,
I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.

Excuse me Mr.
Can't you see the children dying.
You say that you can't help them,
Mr. you're not even trying.
Excuse me Mr.
Just take a look around.
Oh, Mr. just look up and you will,
You'll see it's coming down.

Oh, excuse me Mr.
But I'm, I'm a mister too.
(And you're) givin' Mr. a bad name,
Mr. like you.

So, I'm taking the Mr. from out in front of your name,
'cause it's a Mr. like you that puts the rest of us to shame.
'cause it's a Mr. like you, puts the rest of us to shame.

And I've seen enough,
I've seen enough, seen enough,
I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.
I've seen enough,
And I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.
Seen.

'cause Mr. when you're rattling on heaven's gate,
(let me tell you Mr.)
By then it is too late.
'cause Mr. when you get there,
They don't ask, they don't ask (how much) what you saved.
All they'll want to know Mr. is what you gave.

So, excuse me Mr.
But I'm a mister too.
And you're givin' Mr. a bad name,
Mr. like you.

So, I'm taking the Mr. from out in front of your name,
'cause it's a Mr. like you (that) puts the rest of us to shame.

Words and music by Ben Harper

This empty room it fills my mind
Freedom it leaves me confined
Every single wall has cracked
But in this life you can't turn back

I don't want to live,
I don't want to live alone
Alone
Alone
Alone

As these words are with my tongue
I question why they're even sung
I have promised but I lied
I don't even know myself inside

I don't want to be,
I don't wanna be here alone
Alone
Alone
Alone

Today and tomorrow have become one
Every single thing has become none
Human nature is a beast
What I've done the most to show I have the least

Please don't leave me here,
please don't leave me here
Don't you leave me alone
Alone
Alone

Marvin Gaye / David Ritz / Odell Brown

Oh- baby now let's get down tonight.
Baby, I'm hot just like your oven.
Oh- I need your lovin'
Well baby, I can't hold it much longer
'cause it's getting stronger and stronger
And when I get that feeling
I got a sexual healing, sexual healing
And makes me feel so fine
And helps to release the mind
Sexual healing, is good for me
Sexual healing is something that's good for me

Whenever these blue teardrops are falling
And my emotional stability is leaving me
There is something I can do
Oh- I can get on the telephone and call you up baby
Darling, I know you'll be there to relieve me
The love you give to me will free me
And If you don't know the things you're dealing
Oh- I can tell you darling, that it's sexual healing
Get up, Get up, Get up, Get up
Let's make love tonight
Wake up, Wake up, Wake up
'Cause you do it right

Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling

Baby, I got sick this morning
A sea was storming up inside of me
Baby, I think I'm capsizing
Oh- the waves are rising
And when I get that feeling
I got a sexual healing
Sexual healing
And makes me feel so fine, it's such a rush
And helps to release the mind, Oh- it's good for us
Sexual healing, is good for me
Sexual healing is something that's good for me

And it's good for me and it's good to me
My baby, woohhh
Just grab a hold and take control
Of my body and mind soon we'll be making love
Honey, oh- -- fine
You're my medicine open up and let me in
Darling, you're so great
I can't wait for you to operate

Ohh

Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
Heal...
I can't wait for you to operate
Heal me, my darling
I can't wait for you to operate
My darling
Please--
Heal me, my darling
Heal me, my darling
I need you to
Heal me, my darling
I need you to
Heal me, my darling
Oh- won't you please
Heal me, my darling-
Oh- won't you just

Words and music by Ben Harper

Could've sworn I heard you say Amen this morning
Showing some kind of sign that you believe
Did it fall from your tongue without warning
Or just another trick to fall from your sleeve
Did I hear you say that you believe in angels
I guess I bring the devil out in you
But we can both remove our halos
'cause even an angel needs love too
Even angels needs love too

The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me

Some things never change
Some things never stay the same
But you're so innocent
I'll take all the blame
How I hate to remember
For that means the day is past
Sometimes I wonder if I know her
Or if I really need to ask
Or if I really need to ask

The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman

Half-man walks with no shadow
Of life the other his distaste
No apology is expected
Love carved sorry in his face
Love carved sorry in his face

The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you is the worry, the worry in me
The woman in you, in you, is the worry in me
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman

Words and music by Ben Harper

I believe in a few things :
God, the Devil and Love,
Cause I've looked up from the bottom and I've stared down from above.
And I have faith in a few things :
Divinity and Grace,
But even when I'm on my knees, I know the devil prays.

And you're working your way,
From the ground on down.

I hate to say I love you,
Because it means that I will be with you forever or will sadly say goodbye.
And I love to say I hate you,
Because it means that I will live my life happily without you or will sadly live
a lie.

And you're working your way,
From the ground on down,
On down.
Your way,
From the ground on down,
On down.

Life is short and if you're looking for extension,
With your time, you had best do well,
Cause there's good deeds and there is good intention,
They're as far apart as heaven and hell.

And you're steady working your way,
From the ground on down,
On down.
Your way,
From the ground.

Words and music by Ben Harper

I put into Nashville, Tennessee
But you wouldn't even come around to see me
And since your headin' up to Carolina
You know I gonna be right there behind you

'Cause I always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you

Now I love to feel that warm southern rain
Just to hear it fall is the sweetest sounding things
And to see it fall on your simple country dress
It's like heaven to me I must confess

'Cause I always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you

Now I've been hangin around you for days
But when I'm leanin you just turn your head away
I know you didn't mean that
She said I love the way you think but I hate the way you act

'Cause I always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you

Words and music by Ben Harper

Let us burn one from end to end,
And pass it over to me my friend.
Burn it long, we'll burn it slow,
To light me up before I go.

If you don't like my fire, then don't come around,
'cause I'm gonna burn one down.
Yes, I'm gonna burn one down.

My choice is what I choose to do,
And if I'm causing no harm, it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who you choose to be,
And if you're causin' no harm, then you're alright with me.

If you don't like my fire, then don't come around,
'cause I'm gonna burn one down.
Yes, I'm gonna burn one down.

Herb the gift from the earth,
And what's from the earth is of the greatest worth.
So before you knock it try it first,
Oh, you'll see it's a blessing and not a curse.

If you don't like my fire, then don't come around,
'cause I'm gonna burn one down.

Words and music by Ben Harper

Papa, he left home today
And said he ain't comin' back again
Said he ain't gonna be nobody's second best
Just cause mama's got a special kind of friend

Papa, he left home today
Said he ain't comin' back no more
Said he ain't gonna take no damn back seat
And how could mama do him so low

But mama's got a girlfriend now, boy !
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's got a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

You see mama don't watch your damn football
And your beer drinkin' just won't do
You're just stayin' out late
And you're preachin' the hate
And you never have been true

You see, mama she want her somebody
Who will let her be herself
So she's leavin' you and your stinky damn ways
Cause she's found somebody else

And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

Papa he left home today
He was wavin' his hands and cryin'
You could tell by the sound and the tone in his voice
That his heart was slowly dyin'

But mama said :
"Boy if I ever catch you 'round here again
You ain't never gonna have nobody else
Not a woman or a man"

And mama's got a girlfriend now boy
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's found a true friend
Mama's got a girlfriend now

Mama's got a girlfriend now, boy!
Mama's got a girlfriend now
Mama's got a girlfriend
Mama's found a true friend

Words and music by Ben Harper

Welcome to the cruel world
Hope you find your way
Welcome to the cruel world
Hope you find your way
Oh - Oh
It's a cruel world
Try to enjoy your stay

Yes it is a cruel world
When you're tryin' to get by
Oh - Oh
It's a cruel world
When you're tryin'
When you've seen the look in their eye
Makes life hard living
But I'm so
So scared to die
Welcome to the cruel world
Welcome
Welcome

Don't know how
We've lasted here so long
There must be more good than bad
Or we'd already be gone
And if you get up to heaven
Before I do
I'm gonna tell ya
Oh - it's gonna be cruel there too
Cruel there too

You can't hide from this cruel world
Cause there is no place to run
You can't hide from the cruel world
There just is no place to run
It's been cruel from the beginning
It will be cruel when we're done

So when I'm gone
I will gladly say goodbye
Yes when I'm gone
I will gladly say goodbye
And if you want to feel me
Put your hands up to the sky

Welcome to the cruel world
Welcome
Welcome
Hope you find your way

Words and music by Ben Harper

I will wait like nothing
I have ever waited for
I will catch your tears from falling
Until from my hands they fall
You can leave me abandoned
I'll be here if you want back in
Like the rest I have been branded
Far beneath the skin
So far beneath the skin

You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven

Here I have been standing
While the time has come and gone
I tried singing to you
But you turned my words to stone
Here I have been waiting
It seems for quite a while
Changed all my reflections
But inside I'm still just a child
But inside still just a child

You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven

These eyes weren't made for crying
This love wasn't made to waste
These arms weren't made for battle
But to share your warm embrace
But to share your warm embrace

You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be
You shall be forgiven
You shall be
You shall be

Words and music by Ben Harper

You so easily amuse
Like a pantomime
Such a silent crime
You so easily abuse
Lack of confindence
It's your best offense
You so easily confuse
You can't deny it
Still you try to hide it

Faded
So faded
Like a memory gone
There's no recollection

Faded
So faded
Like a forgotten dream
Further than it seems

You so hastily defy
When you think you need it
You find a way to bleed it
You so hastily deny
Pleading innocence
It's your best defense
You so hastily reply
The moment (that) you said it
Already regret it

Faded
So faded
Like a memory gone
There's no recollection

Faded
So faded
Like a forgotten dream
Further than it seems

You so easily amuse
You so easily abuse

Faded
So faded
Like a memory gone
There's no recollection

Faded
So faded
Like a forgotten dream
Further than it seems

Faded
So faded
Like a memory gone

Robert Plant / Jimmy Page

You need coolin' baby, I'm not foolin'
I'm gonna say it, yeh! Go back to schoolin'
Way down inside honey, you need it

I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you my love
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?

You've been learnin' baby, I mean learnin'
All them good times I've been yearnin'
Way, way down inside honey, you need it

I'm gonna give you my love,
I'm gonna give you my love.
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?

Now, you've been coolin', baby, I've been droolin'
All the good times I've been misusin'
Way, way down inside, baby, you need it
I'm gonna give you my love
Gonna give you my love
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?
Wanna Whole Lotta Love?

Way, way down inside, woman
Way down inside, woman
Gonna give you my love

Words and music by Ben Harper

Waiting on an angel
One to carry me home
Hope you come to see me soon
Cause I don't want to go alone
I don't want to go alone

Now angel won't you come by me
Angel hear my plea
Take my hand, lift me up
So that I can fly with thee
So that I can fly with thee

And I'm waiting on an angel
And I know it won't be long
To find myself a resting place
In my angel's arms
In my angel's arms

So speak kind to a stranger
Cause you'll never know
It just might be an angel come
Oh - knockin' at your door
Oh - knockin' at your door

And I'm waiting on an angel
And I know it won't be long
To find myself a resting place
In my angel's arms
Oh - in my angel's arms

Waiting on an angel
One to carry me home
Hope you come to see me soon
Cause I don't want to go alone
I don't want to go alone
Don't want to go

Words and music by Ben Harper

I could have treated you better
But you couldn't have treated me worse
But it's he who laughs last
Is he who cries first
Sometimes I feel I know strangers
Better than I know my friends
Why must a beginning
Be the means to an end

The stones from my enemies
These wounds will mend
But I cannot survive
The roses from my friends

When the last word has been spoken
(And) we've beared witness to the final setting sun
All that shall remains is a token
Of what we've said and done
When all we've had has been forsaken
Distant church bells no longer ring
That's the sound of a heart taken
And the story of tears from a king

The stones from my enemies
These wounds will mend
But I cannot survive
The roses from my friends

This may be the last time I see you
Forgive me for holding you close
This may be the last time I see you
So of this moment I will make the most
This may be the last time I see you
But if you keep me in your heart
Together we shall be eternal
If you believe we shall never part

The stones from my enemies
These wounds will mend
But I cannot survive
The stones from my enemies
These wounds will mend
But I cannot survive
I cannot survive
Oh- I cannot survive

Words and music by Ben Harper

It will make a weak man mighty.
It will make a mighty man fall.
It will fill your heart and hands or leave you with nothing at all.
It's the eyes for the blind and legs for the lame.
It is the love for hate and pride for shame.

That's the power of the gospel.
That's the power of the gospel.
That's the power of the mighty, mighty power.
That's the power of the gospel, well.
That's the power of...

Gospel on the water,
Gospel on the land.
The gospel in every woman,
And the gospel in every man.
Gospel in the garden,
Gospel in the trees.
The gospel that's inside of you,
Gospel inside of me.

That's the power of the gospel.
That's the power of the gospel.
That's the power of the mighty power.
That's the power of...
That's the power of the gospel.

In the hour of richness,
In the hour of need.
For all of creation comes from the gospel seed.
And you may leave tomorrow and you may leave today,
But you've got to have, got to have the gospel when you start out on your way.

That's the power of the gospel.
That's the power of the gospel.
That's the power of the mighty power.
That's the power of the gospel.
That's the power of the gospel.
That's the power of the gospel.

Words and music by Ben Harper

I'm leaving here on the morning train
And I will never see this world again
Oh - I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same

How I wonder why the world can be so cold
And if only good die young
Then left with me cruel here to grow old
Oh - I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now
I can never be the same

And if someday I find my peace of mind
I will share my wealth with all of human kind
Well I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now
That I can never be the same

So if the sun does shine or rain does fall
I give thanks I've had my sight to see through it all
Oh - I've felt pleasure
And I've felt pain
And I know now

Words and music by Ben Harper

Make me feel like a beggar
Make me feel like a thief
Make me feel like a battle, that cannot end in peace
Make me feel like running, as if I've lost my nerve
Make me feel like crying, tears I don't deserve

Please bleed
So I know that you are real
So I know that you can feel
The damage that you've done
Who have I become
To myself I am numb
I am numb
I am numb

Is this really living sometimes it's hard to tell
Or is this a kind of gentler hell
Turn out the lights
And let me stare into your soul
I was born and bled for you old

Please bleed
So I know that you are real
So I know that you can feel
The damage that you've done
Who have I become
To myself I am numb
I am numb
I am numb

Never said thank you
Never said please
Never gave reason to believe
So as it stands
I remain on my knees
Good lovers make great enemies

Please bleed
So I know that you are real
So I know that you can feel
The damage that you've done
Who have I become
To myself I am numb
I am numb
I am numb

Please bleed
So I know that you are real
So I know that you can feel
The damage that you've done
Who have I become
To myself I am numb
I am numb

Richard Ashcroft

All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down
And I know you're thinking of me
As you lay down on your side

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

But I know I'm on a losing streak
'Cause I passed down by old street
And if you wanna show, just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

So baby, Woh- if heaven calls, I'm coming too
Just like you said you leave my life, I'm better off dead

All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down

The drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again

So baby, Woh- if heaven calls, I'm coming too
And like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead

But if you wanna show, just let me know
And now I'll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But now I know I'll see your face again
Yeah- I know I'll see your face again
Yeah- I know I'll see your face again
Oh- now
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Never coming down, Never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more, no more
Never coming down, never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
Oh- now

Words and music by Ben Harper

Like the wings stolen from an angel
Like petals gone from a rose
Like a dove caught in a storm

Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms

The wind it blew straight through us
And whispered to me in tongues
I was told I was wrong

Tonight he would be in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he is in the Lord's Arms

So I drinked this wine to him
With each glass of memory
He left with his crown of thornes

Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms

Words and music by Ben Harper

There is not a river wide.
Not a mountain high.
And neither sin nor evil.
Could change how I feel inside.
Could change how I feel inside.

Not all the strength of the ocean.
Not all the heat from the sun, from the sun.
Now, others have tried, I just can't deny.
For me you are the one.
For me you are the one.

The true love is priceless.
For true love you pay a price.
But there's nothing can keep me from loving you.
Not fire, no not ice.
Not fire, no not ice.

Like a hero or a champion.
You are the best, you're the best.
Like religion or superstition.
With you I am blessed.
With you I am blessed.

Now the river may grow wider.
The mountain may reach past the sky.
And wether or not you feel the same.
My love shall never die.
My love shall never die.

The true love you give and take.
The true love is sacrifice.
But there's nothing can keep me from loving you.
Not fire, no not ice.
Not fire, no not ice.

Words and music by Ben Harper

We have both been here before
Knockin' upon love's door
Begging for someone to let us in
Knowing this we can agree to keep each other company
Never to go down that road again

My beloved one
My beloved one

Your eyes shine through me
You are so divine to me
Your heart has a home in mine
We won't have to say a word
With a touch all shall be heard
When I search my hearth it's you I find

My beloved one
My beloved one
My beloved one

You were meant for me
I believe you were sent to me
From the dreams trailing to my heart
Hold your body and close to me
You mean most to me
We will keep each other safe from harm

My beloved one
My beloved one
My beloved one

[No lyrics]

Words and music by Ben Harper

Oh no
Here comes that sun again
That means another day
Without you my friend
And it hurts me
To look into the mirror at myself
And it hurts even more
To have to be with somebody else

And it's so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes
Sometimes you just have to walk away
Walk away

With so many people to love in my life
Why do I worry about one ?
But you put the happy in my ness
You put the good times into my fun

And it's so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes
Sometimes you just have to walk away
Walk away
And head for the door

We've tried the goodbye
So many days
We walk in the same direction
So that we could never stray
They say if you love somebody
Than you have got to set them free
But I would rather be locked to you
Than live in this pain and misery

They say time will
Make all this go away
But it's time that has taken my tomorrows
And turned them into yesterdays
And once again that rising sun
Is droppin' on down
And once again you my friend
Are nowhere to be found

And it's so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes
Sometimes you just have to walk away
Walk away
And head for the door

You just walk away
Walk away
Walk away
Just walk a...
Walk on
Turn and head for the door

Words and music by Ben Harper

Yes indeed, I'm alone again.
And here comes emptiness crashing in.
It's either love or hate,
I can't find in between,
'cause I've been with witches and I've been with a queen.

It wouldn't have worked out anyway.
So now it's just another lonely day.
Further along we just may.
But for now it's just another lonely day.

Wish there was something now I could say or do.
I can resist anything but the temptation from you.
But I'd rather walk alone than chase you around.
I'd rather fall myself than let you drag me on down.

It wouldn't have worked out anyway.
And now it's just another lonely day.
Further along we just may.
But for now, it's just another lonely day.

Yesterday seems like a life ago,
'cause the one I love today, I hardly know,
You I held so close in my heart, Oh dear,
Grow further from me with every fallen tear.

It wouldn't have worked out anyway.
So now it's just another lonely day.
Further along we just may.
But for now it's just another lonely day.
For now it's just another lonely day.

Words and music by Ben Harper

Well Martin's dream
Has become Rodney's worst
Nightmare
Can't walk the streets
To them we are fair game
Our lives don't mean a thing

Like a King, like a King, like a King
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King
Like a king, like a King, like a King
How I wish you could help us Dr. King

Make sure it's filmed
Shown on national T.V.
They'll have no mercy
A legal lynch mob
Like the days strung up from the tree
The L.A.P.D.

Like a King, like a King, like a King
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King
Like a king, like a King, like a King
How I wish you could help us Dr. King

So if you catch yourself
Thinking it has changed for the best
You better second guess
Cause Martin's dream
Has become Rodney's worst
Nightmare

Like a King, like a King, like a King
Rodney King, Rodney King, Rodney King
Like a King, like a King, like a King
How I wish you could help us Dr. King

Like a King, like a King, like a King
Like a King, like a King, like a King
Like a King, like a King, like a King
How I wish... like a King, like a King

Like a King, like a King, like a, like a King
Like a King, like a King, like a King
When we will look to the past
Look to the past to learn ?
I wish...
Like a king, like a king, like a king
Like a king, like a king, like a king

Bye and bye we must go to see the King

Words by Maya Angelou
Music by Ben Harper

You may write me down in history
With your bitter twisted lies
You may trod me down in the very dirt
And still like the dust, I'll rise
Does my happiness upset you
Why are you best with gloom
Cause I laugh like I've got an oil well
Pumpin' 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 teardrops
Weakened by my soulful cries
Does my confidence upset you
Don't you take it awful hard
Cause I walk like I've got a diamond mine
Breakin' 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

So you may write me down in history
With your bitter twisted lies
You may trod me down in the very dirt
And still like the dust, I'll rise
Does my happiness upset you
Why are you best with gloom
Cause I laugh like I've got a goldmine
Diggin' up in my living room

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 - 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