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

    Out of the shacks of history's shame
    Up from a past rooted in pain
    I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll 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
  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

    Out of the shacks of history's shame
    Up from a past rooted in pain
    I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll 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

    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

    Out of the shacks of history's shame
    Up from a past rooted in pain
    I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise