You may write me down in history. with your bitter twisted lies. you may tread me down in the very dirt. and still like the dust I'll rise. does my happiness upset you. why are you beset 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 tread me down in the very dirt. and still like the dust I'll rise. does my happiness upset you. why are you beset 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.