Rise

[Hook: Maya Azucena] I think on these things And I never hide From what life bring Throughout all the lies Though it feels like no one’s by my side I rise Despite [Verse 1: Cormega] You need food for thought I’m preparing a meal A savage in pursuit of happiness is never fulfilled I don’t glorify the ghetto I tell you the real I’d rather write it in a song than in a letter from jail Like Donald Goines you enjoy my incredible tales Resonate with those who walk similar paths Your enemy has more honor than a man in the mask And familiar voice asking “where is the stash?” The year Mike Jordan had career high scoring I put it all together and realize money Causes attention, resentment a moral conviction Even God calls him and exploit religion Rappers tell you lies while glorifying the ghetto They never speak of mothers' inconsolable cries So the oppressive aggression of those sworn to serve and protect us Harm us Sean Bell the martyr was a father [Hook] I think on these things And I never hide From what life bring Throughout all the lies Though it feels like no one’s by my side I rise Despite [Verse 2: Cormega] We learn the hard way so the despair is what we know Fixed incomes don’t repair broken homes Often [?] fatherless though a man hold his own And his driven momma gotta take the wheel when he gone Learn to cherish every meal on the stove And the clothes she bought you though she couldn’t afford to She did it So you wouldn’t have to conform to The streets And she wouldn’t have to sit in no courtroom When minorities compete against law degrees For freedom accompanied by attorney fees I’m up late thinking of people in early graves And how things changed since they’ve been away A new dawn approaches, a different day In my book of life, let’s just fill the pages I’m God-given, hear my praise In the face of adversity my shield is faith [Hook] I think on these things And I never hide From what life bring Throughout all the lies Though it feels like no one’s by my side I rise Despite [Verse 3: Cormega] There are many I reminisce In the lord’s hands or system’s grip It’s oppressive A mental whip Leaving deep scars, slavery still exists These imperialists see imprisonment as business When the recession hits, they recidivists I ain’t going back, only as a visitor To see my people caught up in the pen Want freedom but don’t know what it really is A natural part of existing, not a privilege Granted judicially they can shackle you mentally When your mind’s not confined that’s when you’re free [Outro: Maya Azucena] Yeah yeah I rise (x5) Despite I rise ‘till I get home