[Verse 1] The night came down on my shoulders Like a coat soaked through with rain My shoes were full of trouble My heart was full of pain But I kept on moving, baby Step by step through the heat Every block said, "Don't you stop now" I said, "Watch me find my beat" [Pre-Chorus] Oh, the floor was burning Oh, the sky held tight I turned my fear to motion In the heat of the night [Chorus] In the heat of the night I rise, I rise In the heat of the night I don't back down (Heat of the night) I rise, I rise In the heat of the night I take my ground [Verse 2] Took a hit from the pressure Took a laugh from the crowd Still I stood in the center With my head up proud Mama said, "Just keep your rhythm" Papa said, "Hold that flame" So I shook off the shadows And I called my own name [Pre-Chorus] Oh, the floor was burning Oh, the sky held tight I turned my fear to motion In the heat of the night [Chorus] In the heat of the night I rise, I rise In the heat of the night I don't back down (Heat of the night) I rise, I rise In the heat of the night I take my ground [Bridge] Let the hard days break behind me Let the old chains lose their song I was made for this uprising I was made to carry on So I clap my hands to the danger And I spin it into gold When the night comes calling, baby I answer bold [Chorus] In the heat of the night I rise, I rise In the heat of the night I don't back down (Heat of the night) I rise, I rise In the heat of the night I take my ground