In the red dirt, drumbeat from my old yard
Ancestors in the cool breeze, sing
Blessings over these scars
Green hills and a slow chant, children running through the cave
Elders reasoned by the roadside, turned suffering into flames
Smoke of righteousness, rise up, oh, rise up
Carry this brittle job, light up, oh, light up
One love stronger than Babylon, light up
We charred down every wall, light up
Smoke of righteousness, we still stand tall
They tax every poor man, still they smiling in the gold
Towers made of glass shine, hearts inside so cold
We plant little gardens, share food, share time
Turn street corner corners into temples for the devised
Smoke of righteousness, rise up, oh, rise up
Carry this brittle job, light up, oh, light up
One love stronger than Babylon, light up
We charred down every wall, light up
Smoke of righteousness, we still stand tall
Irie in the struggle, yeah, sweet in the fight
Rebel with compassion, blazing through the night
Pride in our journey, unity in our song
When we breathe this healing, we remember we are strong
Smoke of righteousness, rise up, oh, rise up
Rise up, rise up, oh, rise up
Smoke of righteousness, rise up, oh, rise up
Rise up, oh