You may remember me or hunt me down in history
With your nasty, manipulating lies,
You may trod me in the very thick mud
But still, like a strong human being, I'll rise.

Does my bragging bother you?
Why are you filled with gloom?
'Cause I will walk very gracefully,
Listening to my music peacefully.

Just like you and me,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like our hopes rising both very high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me hurt?
My very sore head and narrowed eyes?
Shoulders falling down like my tears.
Weakened, not strong by my soulful cries.

Does my taunting offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard?
'Cause I laugh like I've got a bunch of silver mines,
Diggin' in my own backyard.

You may shoot me and hurt my feelings with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may destroy me with your hatred ,
But still, like a strong human being, I'll rise.  

Does my beauty bother you?
Does it make you feel surprised?
That I sing like I've got diamonds,
at the meeting of receiving my noble prize?

Under everything I still have shame
I still will get up and rise up high
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I still will get up and rise up high                                                             ­       
I'm a large ocean, deep and wide,
I am willing to have a ride near a tide.
Leaving behind those nights of horror and fear
I still will get up and rise up high
Into a daybreak that's wonderfully and perfectly clear
I still will get up and rise up high
Bringing me those memorable gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am have a possible and amazing dream and have the hope of a very poor slave.
I will get up and rise up high
I will get up and rise up high
I will get up and rise up high
I will, I will just that I would still have to wait for that wonderful day to come.