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 Ill rise
Does my happiness upset you
Why are you best with gloom
Cause I laugh like Ive 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 Ill rise
Ill rise
Ill rise
Out of the shacks of historys shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
Ill rise
Ill rise
Ill 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
Dont you take it awful hard
Cause I walk like Ive 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 Ill rise
Ill rise
Ill rise
Out of the shacks of historys shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
Ill rise
Ill rise
Ill 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 Ill rise
Does my happiness upset you
Why are you best with gloom
Cause I laugh like Ive got a goldmine
Diggin up in my living room

So you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And Ill rise
Ill rise
Ill rise
Out of the shacks of historys shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
Ill rise
Ill rise
Ill rise