You can break my bones,

With sticks and stones,

You can batter me to pieces

But still, like mortgage payments, I’ll rise.

 

Does my smartness upset you?

Why are you so mean?

Cause I walk with my head held high,

And a body strong and lean.

 

Just like a plane streaking upward.

With good intent.

Just like a balloon filed with helium.

Still I’ll rise.

 

You can push all you want,

You can make up lies,

You can try to break me,

But still, like clouds, I’ll rise.

 

Out like the pump of my heart,

I rise

Up like the rush of the wind,

I rise

 

I’m a coral reef swaying in the waves.

You can not destruct me.

 

Leaving behind my fright and fear,

I rise

Into a place so warm and near,

I rise

Bringing no thought of what used to be,

I am a new person, this time you can pay the fee.

I rise

I rise

I rise