I'll Rise
View chords used in this chart
Am
You may write me down in history
Dm
With your bitter twisted lies
Dm
You may trod me down in the very dirt
Dm C Am
And still like the dust I'll rise
Am
Does my happiness upset you
Dm
Why are you best with gloom
Dm
Cause I laugh like I've got an oil well
Dm C Am
Pumpin' in my living room
Am
So you may shoot me with your words
Dm
You may cut me with your eyes
Dm
And I'll rise
F
I'll rise
Am
I'll rise
Am
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Dm
Up from a past rooted in pain
Dm
I'll rise
F
I'll rise
Am
I'll rise
(Am Dm Dm Dm C Am)
Now did you want to see me broken
Bowed head and lowered eyes
Shoulders fallen down like tear drops
Weakened by my soulful cries
(Am Dm Dm Dm C Am)
Does my confidence upset you
Don't you take it awful hard
Cause I walk like I've got a diamond mine
Breakin up in my front yard
(Am Am Dm Dm F Am)
So you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
(Am Am Dm Dm F Am)
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
(Am Dm Dm Dm C Am)
So you may write me down in history
With your bitter twisted lies
You may trod me down in the very dirt
And still like the dust I'll rise
(Am Dm Dm Dm C Am)
Does my happiness upset you
Why are you best with gloom
Cause I laugh like I've got a goldmine
Diggin' up in my living room
(Am Am Dm Dm F Am)
Now you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
And I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
(Am Am Dm Dm F Am)
Out of the shacks of history's shame
Up from a past rooted in pain
I'll rise
I'll rise
I'll rise
How to play I'll Rise
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Am. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.