Video Information

• Choir: The Girl Choir of South Florida
• Piece: Still I Rise
• Composer:  Rosephanye Powell
• Conductor:  Wallis Peterson
• Voices:  SSAA
• Genres: Folk/Ethnic, Contemporary
• "Still I Rise" by Rosephanye Powell.
  
  Recorded live on Thursday, July 3, 2014, at Christ Lutheran Church in Oakland Park, Florida. Performed by the Concert Choir ensemble of the Girl Choir of South Florida. Artistic Director: Wallis Peterson...  more"Still I Rise" by Rosephanye Powell.
  
  Recorded live on Thursday, July 3, 2014, at Christ Lutheran Church in Oakland Park, Florida. Performed by the Concert Choir ensemble of the Girl Choir of South Florida. Artistic Director: Wallis Peterson, Accompanist: Gayle Giese.
  
  Note from the composer: "Still I Rise" was inspired by the poem of the same name by poet laureate Maya Angelou. It is a women's anthem, saluting the strength to persevere through life's difficulties–low self-esteem, physical and emotional abuse, prejudice, abandonment, and the like. In summary, though a woman's life or past may be filled with tears and heartaches, with each day that she finds herself still living, she finds that she has grown stronger and risen a little higher because her circumstances have not overcome her. Thus, every new day can be one of hope and joy because regardless of the past, today, "still I rise"!
  
  Though I have been wounded, aching heart full of pain. Still I rise, yes, still I rise.
  Jus' like a budding rose, my bloom is nourished by rain.
  Haven't time to wonder why, though fearful I strive.
  My pray'r and faith uphold me 'til my courage arrives.
  
  Still I rise as an eagle, soaring above ev'ry fear.
  With each day I succeed, I grow strong an' believe
  That it's all within my reach; I'm reaching for the skies,
  Bolstered by courage, yes, still I rise.
  Yes, it's all within my reach; I'm reaching for the skies,
  Yes, still I rise.
  
  Gentle as a woman; tender sweet are my sighs. Still I rise, yes, still I rise.
  Strength is in my tears and healing rains in my cries.
  Plunging depths of anguish, I determine to strive.
  My pray'r and faith uphold me 'til my courage arrives.
  
  Though you see me slump with heartache; Heart so heavy that it breaks.
  Be not deceived I fly on bird's wings, rising sun, its healing rays.
  Look at me, you see a woman; Gentle as a butterfly.<...    less