Artist:  Bass P
Album:  "It's Mine"
Song:  "Rise Above It All"

Intro:
As you open up the paper and read the lines
This happens too much, so why don't ya open up your minds
And pay attention, tell me, does anyone care?
Rape victims are dealt a hand that's so unfair

Chorus:
How many times do I have to hear
Another woman has to live her whole life in fear
Keep your head up, and try to find your smile somehow
This all better stop right now

Verse 1:
She was a high school student, a bright young queen
Always rising to the top of her game in everything
That she did and always givin' a hundred percent
And throughout all her work, her mood remained content
Had an easy-going nature, a friendly type of girl
Bet ya couldn't find a nicer person in this world
Always bright like the sun shining from within
A heart made of gold, a mind to turn away sin
Didn't come from a rich fam, but she was raised right
Makin' ends meet, 'cuz the money was tight
She'd never do nobody wrong, 'cuz she got much love
And if someone gave her hell, she would rise above
'Cuz the girl's got class, a humble kind of pride
Face her with a challenge, and she'll take it full stride
And this is the biggest one she'll ever face
Brought on by a man in this evil place
See, he's done it before, he'll probably do it again
Damaging lives never easy to mend
How can a human being be so cruel?
In love with control, needs a life to rule
For one long night of complete violation
There could never be an act of higher degradation
It's got me sittin' here wondering why
I could never understand no matter how hard I try

Chorus
(Repeat 2x)

Verse 2:
Nobody heard the cries, nobody heard her scream
And that night for her was like a nightmare dream
The few short minutes seemed more like years
And when it was over, she couldn't see through her tears
Words can't express the way that she felt
Confusion in her mind 'bout the hand she was dealt
Never did a thing to deserve this mess
And now she's tryin' to find some way to deal with the stress
And express her feelings, just get 'em all out
Can't trust other people, 'cuz now there's doubt
And, uh, I can't blame her for feeling this way
Takes time to drive all the hurt away
It's a struggle, but girl, there's a brighter day ahead
So, "Keep Ya Head Up" like 2Pac said
Be strong, girl, survive.  You'll be healed with time
And my smile gets bigger the higher you climb
I know that questions may arise that'll cause you pain
So many questions in your mind that you'll try to explain
Like what in the hell did he think he was doing?
Always looking for another woman's life to ruin
Terrorizing lives, treatin' women like dirt
If he could only live one day of the hurt
That he's caused, then maybe he'd stop his crime
And more young queens will be saved in time

Chorus
(Repeat 2x)

Yeah, M-tripped, L.A.T.--this one's for y'all
Rise above it all

Copyright 1998 Peter A. Roselli