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'

It's not the shade we should be casting

It's the light, 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's the heaven of the human spirit ringin'

It is the bringin' of the line

It is the bearin' of the rhyme

It's not the wakin', it's the risin'

And I could cry power (power)

Power (power)

Power, Lord!

Nina cried power

Billie cried power

Mavis cried power

And I could cry power

Power (power)

Power (power)

Power, Lord!

Curtis cried power

Patti cried power

Nina cried power

It's not the war, but what's behind it

Oh, 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 (power)

Power (power)

Power, Lord!

Nina cried power

Lennon cried power

James Brown cried power

And I could cry power

Power (power)

Power (power)

Power

B.B. cried power

Joni cried power

Nina 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

Ah, lord, I could cry power

Power (power)

'Cause power is my love when my love reaches to me

James Brown cried power

Seger cried power

Marvin cried power

Yeah ah, power

James cried power

Millie cried power

Patti cried power

Billie, power

Dylan, power

Woody, power

Nina cried power