This song was written by Faya Ora Rose Touré. She is an American civil rights activist and lawyer. She was the first Black female judge in Alabama. Faya is a founder of the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, AL and helped coordinate the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee to mark the anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
Recorded by Charon Hribar, Jamel Coy Hudson, and Pauline Pisano
Share this version of the song to ground your meeting or gathering in a spirit of collective care. It reminds us that we are our sisters’, our brothers’, our siblings’ keepers—and that if we don’t lift each other up, we all fall down.
This version of the song was recorded for a Freedom Church of the Poor Memorial Service in July 2023 to lift up Fallen Fighters of the Movement to End Poverty – Anthony Williams (NY / MD) and James Shearer (MA).
Lyrics:
I’m gonna lift my sister up she’s not heavy
I’m gonna lift my sister up she’s not heavy
I’m gonna lift my sister up she’s not heavy
If I don’t lift her up
We will fall down
I’m gonna lift my brother up
We’re gonna lift our siblings up
We’re gonna lift our children up
We’re gonna lift our people up
Multiple Versions Available
Explore different versions of this song. Sung slowly, it offers a reflective moment to honor our sisters and brothers in struggle. Sung with energy, it becomes a powerful call to action, uniting us in the commitment to lift up our communities.
Check out Rise Up Singing for more recordings of “I’m Gonna Lift My Sister Up.”
Lyrics:
I’m gonna lift my sister up she’s not heavy
I’m gonna lift my sister up she’s not heavy
I’m gonna lift my sister up she’s not heavy
If I don’t lift her up
We will fall down
I’m gonna lift my brother up
We’re gonna lift our siblings up
We’re gonna lift our children up
We’re gonna lift our people up
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