Text: Ben Harper. Welcome To The Cruel World. I'll Rise.

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
'Coz I laugh like I've got an oil well
Pumping 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
Rise, 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
Rise, 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
'Coz I walk like I've got a diamond mine
Breaking 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
Rise, 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
Rise, rise

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
'Coz I laugh like I've got a goldmine
Digging 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
Rise, 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
Rise, rise
Yes I'll rise

You may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Rise, 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
Rise, rise
I'm gonna rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Rise, rise
I'll rise, I'll rise, I'll rise
Rise, rise