Rise Up
Joss Stone Lyrics

Rising up out of the flames like a phoenix
Emerging and overcoming challenges and obstacles, just like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

The bane of my own existence, strange
The source of my own troubles and difficulties is peculiar and unexpected.

Our defeat is deranged
The way we have been defeated is disturbing and irrational.

Add that, multiplied by my demons
The negative influences within me intensify and amplify the challenges I face.

The pain so egregious, but strategic
The pain I experience is severe, yet it serves a purpose and is part of a larger plan.

I came to rise up out of the flames like a phoenix
I have the intention to overcome my difficulties and adversities, just like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

My words'll reach a million or more when I tweet it
The impact of my words will reach and resonate with millions of people when I share it on social media.

That's as many people as MLK and Jesus
The number of individuals my message can reach is comparable to the influence of Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus.

In half the time, peep the rhymes of a genius
In a significantly shorter period, observe and acknowledge the profound and clever lyrics of a highly talented individual.

Who refuses to align with the elitist
I reject associating or supporting the privileged and exclusive groups.

Seeing Dr. King's dreams were not for the squeamish
Realizing that Dr. King's aspirations and visions required courage and resilience to be achieved, not for those easily discouraged.

Children of a lesser god, oppression gets repeated unless
If we don't take action, individuals who are marginalized and oppressed will continue to suffer and be subjected to mistreatment.

We slide up out of the chains and delete it
We must liberate ourselves from the chains of oppression and eradicate it completely.

America's like black and white dice tumbling
America's uncertain and unpredictable, resembling rolling dice with opposing outcomes.

Any day you could bite the dust, another one
At any moment, you could face a tragic fate, and another person could meet the same destiny.

So while our culture is crumbling I will enunciate every line
In the midst of our diminishing and deteriorating culture, I will articulate each lyric with clarity and precision.

Clearly so you can hear what the fuck I'm saying, no mumbling
I want to ensure that my message is loud and clear, without any unclear or hesitant delivery.

The irony of a nation claiming to be the United States
The humorous contradiction of a country proclaiming unity while experiencing division.

Yet never in a state of unification
However, it never truly achieves a state of unity.

Egos and ignorance creates incisions
Individuals' self-importance and lack of knowledge result in deep and harmful wounds.

Comforted ones believe these divisions
Those who benefit from the divisions and inequalities prefer to believe they are justified.

And we rep the rhythm with a little bit of skepticism
We represent the music and its rhythm with a touch of skepticism and doubt.

Leaving us jaded and traded in compassion for compression
Leaving us cynical and exchanging empathy and understanding for a sense of pressure and oppression.

Ready to squeeze the life out of anyone who steps to us
Prepared to drain the vitality from anyone who confronts or challenges us.

With aggression
Expressing hostility and hostility.

The media runs with it, calling us aggressive
The media amplifies this narrative, portraying us as aggressive.

When it's just reaction to a system that's oppressive
In reality, it's a response to an oppressive system and circumstances.

Raised fists are claimed offensive
Asserting that raising fists in protest is considered offensive.

But when both arms and open palms are up
However, when both a defensive stance and a gesture of surrender are adopted,

Police and bullets rain extensively
Law enforcement and bullets rain upon us with intensity and frequency.

See, advancing is the mood and the outcome of this selection is stewed
Progress is the prevailing sentiment, and the result of this choice is instigated and brewing.

And I melt and bought crack no longer good for blending
Metaphorically, I have broken down and compromised my integrity, and I no longer align with those who are corrupt.

And yet it's never too late for the cleansing
Despite this, there is always an opportunity for self-reflection and purification.

If we want to rise up, then put the lies up
If we truly desire to overcome our challenges, we must expose and reject falsehoods.

Know the truth, make sure you need to size up yourself before you judge
Understand the reality, and evaluate yourself before passing judgment on others.

In order to unify someone's got to budge
To achieve unity, someone must be willing to compromise or make a move.

And to the choir don't preach, and discard the beat
Rather than preaching to those who already agree, avoid the familiar and comfortable rhythm.

So instead those trapped in ignorance can be reached
Reach those who are confined by their lack of knowledge and understanding.

The outcome from this is a high
The result of this effort is an elevated state of mind and consciousness.

Consciousness instead of a fist, push to the sky
Rather than resorting to violence, let's raise our consciousness and strive for progress and transcendence.

Rise to power or fall from grace
Either ascend to positions of influence and authority, or experience a loss of respect and dignity.

Though often cases our heads in the clouds
Despite frequently having unrealistic or dreamy aspirations.

Or we're lost in space
Or feeling disoriented and disconnected from reality.

Citizens of the divided states identify with hatred
The citizens of a nation torn apart by divisions and conflicts often associate themselves with hostility and animosity.

For our demise, they watch and wait
They eagerly anticipate and observe our downfall and defeat.

Look at the downward spiral, it's goin' viral
Observing the rapid and widespread deterioration, which is gaining attention and popularity.

Nobody's ever accountable, who's held liable?
No one is ever held responsible or accountable for their actions or consequences.

If anyone could court respond, if they so inclined to
If someone with authority chose to respond and take legal action.

It's sad, they want a borderline, redefine you
It's disheartening, they desire to draw boundaries and alter your perception and identity.

As a people we can rise like the tides
Collectively, we have the power to rise and overcome challenges just like the rising and falling of the tides.

Due to tower over evil as a nation under God
To prevail and dominate over wickedness and injustice as a nation united under the guidance of a divine entity.

Indefensible the weight of all our odds
The burden of all the challenges we face is immense and difficult to justify.

But together we'll survive, just never sever ties
However, if we stand together, we will endure, as long as we remain connected and united.

We could rise to a brilliance, rise to a balance
We have the potential to reach a state of exceptional intelligence and equilibrium.

Rise to a way to coexist in nonviolence
To find a path where we can peacefully coexist without resorting to aggression or harm.

Rise to a volume that's impossible to silence
To amplify our voices and reach a level that cannot be ignored or silenced.

In the morning when I rise, I'll rise to the challenge
When I wake up in the morning, I will face and conquer the challenges that lie ahead.