Rise

Raise your hand and I will cower
Threaten me and I will bend
Tell me I’m worthless, I’ll believe
And then we’ll start again.
You were a child and took us on
I was a child; I endured
You feel cheated and I, indebted
Neither one can see beyond.
But strike me down and see what happens
As I retreat and you despise
Although I may want to bow under you
I want this more: and still I rise.
So try to break me if you must
You never will succeed
‘Cause I have fire you can’t find-
Desire to be free.