Rise up and shine

(Intro) Yeah, yeah, yeah! Come on, let's go, let the soul flow! Rise up, oh, yeah! (Verse 1) I was born in a world where the shadows lay thick, Fighting through the struggle, every day was a trick. Under apartheid's dark veil, dreams seemed so far, But I kept on reaching, aiming high, aiming star. From the streets of the struggle, to the echoes of the past, I knew my heart was strong, I knew my will would last. With every step I took, I’d rise above the pain, Dancin’ through the hardships, like the sweet summer rain. (Chorus) Rise up and shine, gotta leave the pain behind, In the face of the darkness, I’ll find my light, I’ll find. Through the trials and the troubles, I’ll stand tall and proud, Rise up and shine, baby, let your spirit be loud! (Verse 2) They tried to hold me down, tried to dim my flame, But I kept on movin’, I kept playin’ the game. With the beat of my soul and the rhythm of my heart, I broke through the chains, made a brand new start. From the shadows of injustice, to the spotlight of the stage, I turned my pain to power, wrote my story on the page. With every note I played, with every song I sang, I overcame the struggle, and let freedom rang. (Chorus) Rise up and shine, gotta leave the pain behind, In the face of the darkness, I’ll find my light, I’ll find. Through the trials and the troubles, I’ll stand tall and proud, Rise up and shine, baby, let your spirit be loud! (Bridge) Energetic brass and guitar solo Oh, I fought through the storm, now the sun’s breakin’ through, In the rhythm of my journey, I found the strength to renew. No more chains to hold me, no more shadows in my way, I’m dancing in the sunshine, embracing a brand new day. (Verse 3) So here’s to the fighters, to the ones who broke free, To the souls who kept on marching, no matter the decree. With the spirit of the brave, and the heart of the true, We’ll rise from the darkness and start somethin' new. I’m living proof of strength, of a dream that could not die, With every beat of my heart, I’ll reach for the sky. From the ashes of the struggle, I’ve built my own design, And I’ll keep on rising, baby, through the rhythm and rhyme. (Chorus) Rise up and shine, gotta leave the pain behind, In the face of the darkness, I’ll find my light, I’ll find. Through the trials and the troubles, I’ll stand tall and proud, Rise up and shine, baby, let your spirit be loud! (Outro) Funky brass and soulful background vocals fade out Yeah, yeah, yeah! Rise up, oh, shine, In the rhythm of life, let your soul align. Through the struggles and the heartache, let your spirit climb, Rise up and shine, baby, it’s your time!