It's not the wakin', it's the risin'
It is the groundin' of a foot uncompromisin'
It's not forgoin' of the lie, It's not the openin' of eyes
It's not the wakin', it's the risin'
And 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 wakin', it's the risin'
It's not the song, it is the singin'
It is the heaven of the human spirit ringin'
It is the bringin' of the line
It's the bearin' of the rhyme
It's not the wakin', it's the risin'
And I could cry power
Power
Power, Lord
Nina cried power
Billie cried power
Mavis cried power
It's not the wall, but what's behind it
Lord, the fear of fellow men is near assignment
And everything that we're denied
By keepin' the divide
It's not the wakin', it's the risin'
And I could cry power
Power
Power, Lord!
Nina cried power
Curtis cried power
Patti 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 bein' free
I cry power
'Cause power is my love and my righteousness to me
Nina cried power
Joni cried power
Billie cried power
And I could cry
Power
Woah
Oh we're crying out, can you hear us now?
Oh Nina cried
Oh
Oh
Nina cried power