By Cheryl Mattox Berry
To borrow a phrase from one of Marvin Gaye’s songs, music has been my therapy. It quiets my mind, energizes my body and inspires me. It also helps me express feelings when words don’t come easy.
Lately, I’ve been turning to contemporary gospel and R&B dusties with social and political messages to give me hope for better things to come. Who would’ve thought that songs popular 40 and 50 years ago would be relevant in 2017.
At a Valentine’s Day concert over the weekend, jazz soloist Nicole Henry shared that she’s also been struggling to find her place during these unsettling times. She finds comfort in a Yolanda Adams’ song, Still I Rise, which she poured her heart into. Her rendition had concertgoers nodding in agreement as she belted out the uplifting lyrics.
I listened to the song again the next day and made it No. 1 on my playlist. Read the soul-stirring lyrics below, and then listen to Adams’ sing.
Still I Rise
Shattered, but I’m not broken
Wounded, but time will heal
Heavy the load, the cross I bear
Lonely the road I trod, I dare
Shaken, but here I stand
Weary, Still I press on
Long are the nights, the tears I cry
Dark are the days, no sun in the sky, yes
Yet still I rise
Never to give up
Never to give in against all odds
Yet still I rise
High above the clouds
At times I feel low
Yet still I rise
Sometimes I’m troubled, but not in despair
Struggling, I make my way through
Trials, they come to make me strong
I must endure, I must hold on
Yet still I rise
Never to give up
Never to give in against all odds
Yet still I rise
High above the clouds
At times I feel low
Yet still I rise
Above all my problems
Above all my eyes can see
Knowing God is able to strengthen me
To strengthen me
Yet still I rise
Never to give up
Oh, Never to give in against all odds
Yet still I rise
High above the clouds
At times I feel low
Yet still I
I need to know which way to go
Yet still I
At times I feel low
Yet still I
Oh Oh Oh I rise
Yet still I rise
Oh yes I do, yeah yeah