and still i rise
and drag myself through the bleak streets
i cannot do otherwise
in dumb surprise
i mark the course of fresh defeats
and still i rise
in war-crazed eyes
i catch what my contempt completes
i cannot do otherwise
the seasons vandalize
and foolishness repeats
and still i rise
this blood money buys
such rich cheats
i cannot do otherwise
the beauty of burnt skies
advances, then at night retreats
and still i rise
i cannot do otherwise
