It's not the waking, it's the rising

It is the grounding of a foot uncompromising

It's not forgoeing of the lie

It's not the opening of eyes

It's not the waking, it's the rising

It's not the shade, we should be past it

It's the light, and it's the obstacle that casts it

It's the heat that drives the light

It's the fire it ignites

It's not the waking, it's the rising

It's not the song, it is the singing

It's the hearing of a human spirit ringing

It is the bringing of the line

It is the baring of the rhyme

It's not the waking, it's the rising

And I could cry power (power)

Power (power)

Power

Nina cried power

Billie cried power

Mavis cried power

And I could cry power

Power (power)

Power (power)

Power

Curtis cried power

Patti cried power

Nina cried power

It's not the wall but what's behind it

The fear of fellow men, his mere assignment

And everything that we're denied

By keeping the divide

It's not the waking, it's the rising

And I could cry power (power)

Power (power)

Oh, power

Nina cried power

Lennon cried power

James Brown cried power

And I could cry power

Power (power)

Power (power)

Power, lord

B. B. cried power

Joni cried power

Nina cried power

And I could cry power

Power has been cried by those stronger than me

Straight into the face that tells you

To rattle your chains if you love being free

I could cry power (power)

And power is my love when my love reaches to me

James Brown cried power

Seeger cried power

Marvin cried power

Yeah ah, power

James cried power

Lennon cried power

Patti cried power

Billie, power

Dylan, power

Woody, power

Nina cried power