It's not the waking, it's the rising 
 It is the grounding of a foot uncompromising 
 It's not forgoing 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 bearing of the rhyme 
 It's not the waking, it's the rising   
 And I could cry: Power (power), power (power) 
 Power, Lord 
 Nina cried: Power 
 Billie cried: Power 
 Mavis cried: Power 
 And I could cry (power): Power (power) power, power 
 Curtis cried: Power 
 Patti cried: Power 
 Nina cried: Power   
 It's not the wall, but what's behind it 
 Oh, the fear of fellow man, 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 (hey), power 
 Billie 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 (ha-ha) if you love being free   
 Oh, Lord, I could cry: Power (power) 
 'Cause 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