It's not the wakin', it's the risin' 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 cast in It's the light and 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 lie 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, Lord Curtis cried power Patti cried power Nina cried power It's not the war but what's behind it Lord, the fear of foul men is mere assignment And everythin' 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, Lord Nina cried power Lennon cried power James Brown cried power And I could cry power Power (power) Power (power) Power, Lord 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) 'Cause power is my love and my righteous to me James Brown cried power Seeger cried power Woman cried power Yeah ah, power James cried power Millie cried power Kenny cried power Billie, power Dylan, power Woody, power Nina cried power