[Verse 1]
(Em) In the darkest night, when hope seems gone,
(C) I hear a whisper, a (G) heavenly song.
(Em) When my boat went under on that midnight sea,
(C) Your steady hand reached down and (G) rescued me.
[Pre-Chorus]
(Am) When my heart grows weak and night sur(C)rounds,
(D) I feel a promise steadying the (G) ground.
[Chorus]
(G) Rise up again, lift your (D) hands high,
(Em) Feel the fire (C) burning deep inside.
(G) With every step, (D) Your love will remain,
(Em) In Your grace we (C) rise up a(G)gain.
[Verse 2]
(Em) Mountains may crumble, and storms may roar,
(C) I still stand firm on the (G) solid shore.
(Em) I heard Your voice at the break of (C) morning light,
(G) Led me home from the long and (D) lonely night.
[Pre-Chorus]
(Am) When my sight grows dim and doubts a(C)rise,
(D) I find Your mercy shining in my (G) eyes.
[Chorus]
(G) Rise up again, lift your (D) hands high,
(Em) Feel the fire (C) burning deep inside.
(G) With every step, (D) Your love will remain,
(Em) In Your grace we (C) rise up a(G)gain.
[Bridge — stripped then build]
(Em) No chains can hold, no fear can (C) bind,
(G) I remember the night You saved my (D) mind.
(Em) I was sinking low, but You called my (C) name,
(G) Now I stand freed, I'll never be the (D) same.
(Spoken/softly) Just my voice and a (piano) — one small light.
(Choir lift, organ swells)
(Am) I’m stronger now, (D) I’m free and whole,
(Em) With Jesus Christ, I (C) claim my soul.
[Final Chorus — Key modulates up a whole step to A major]
(A) Rise up again, lift your (E) hands high,
(F#m) Feel the fire (D) burning deep inside.
(A) With every step, (E) Your love will remain,
(F#m) In Your grace we (D) rise up a(A)gain.
(Choir call & response)
Choir: Rise up a(A)gain —
Lead: I will rise!
Choir: Lift your hands (E) high —
Lead: I will lift mine!
[Outro]
(A) Rise up again, forever(D)more,
(F#m) Walking in faith on (D) heaven’s shore.
(A) Rise up again — I/We a(E)m here to stay,
(F#m) Singing Your mercy, (D) singing Your praise.
[Melodic & Performance Notes]
- Tempo & feel: 82 BPM, slow-soul gospel groove (steady 4/4 with emphatic backbeat; soft kick on beats 1 and 3, light snare/handclap on 2 and 4). Aim for a heartfelt, spacious feel.
- Key & range: Original key: G major. Sing for a female mezzo-soprano with comfortable range G3–E5. Verses sit lower (G3–B4); choruses lift to emotional peaks (D5–E5). Final chorus modulates up one whole step to A major to reach a climactic F#5-friendly peak.
- Chord roadmap: Verse: vi – IV – I (Em – C – G). Pre-chorus: ii – V – I (Am – D – G). Chorus: I – V – vi – IV (G – D – Em – C). Bridge uses Em – C – G – D for tension then resolves. Final chorus modulates to A – E – F#m – D.
[Melody ideas — vocal motifs (suggested notes, approximate rhythm)]
- Verse motif (mostly stepwise; soulful phrasing): start low: G3 – A3 – B3 (longer) // B3 – A3 – G3 (resolve). On the line “rescued me” take a rising step to D4 then settle to B3.
- Pre-chorus (build): A3 – B3 – C4 (hold
