History may push us aside
with it's bitter, twisted lies
It may keep us down in the very dirt
but still, like dust, we will rise

Our honesty will upset others
but like the ebb and flow of the tides
Like the moon embedded in the night sky
still we will rise

They'd like to see us broken
heads bowed, eyes lowered
Shoulders down
weakened by our sinful cries

They may corner us with their words
they may cut us with their eyes
They may kill us with their hatred
but still, like air, we will rise

Out of the depths of history
we will rise
We are the dream and hope
we will rise
Like dawn upon a new day
we will rise

We Will Rise