If I raise my hands just to lift the shade, will I reveal a sky heavy and grey'
Will last night be a memory sweetly fading'
How I hate a morning starting out this way,
On these lonely, raging mornings I would whip you if I could,
But you're on the mighty side of strong, and the perfect side of good.

If I raise my hands, will you grab me by the wrists'
And will you try to pull me from the fray'
And, even if my fingers join together into fists, will you hold me firmly anyway'
Because I would try to escape you, but for everyday I'm sure that you're on the huge side of big and the holy side of pure.

Okay, hear what I say as I raise my hands in surrender today,
Okay, here I will stay: hands in the air, singing, "Have thine own way."

If I raise my hands, so weak, and thin, and frail; will you reveal the light of mercy in your eyes'
If I cry to you faintly; will my feeble whisper fail, or will it find its way to a reply'
Because, now that I'm exhausted, I think I m ready to admit that I have spent all my resistance on someone I can't resist.

Okay, hear what I say as I raise my hands in surrender today,
Okay, here I will stay: hands in the air, singing, "Have thine own way."

Light from my window sill, make my way to the door,
I hang my head and still I know you're wanting more,
Over the threshold now, I move across the yard,
All that my will allows, my every step is hard,
Now in the garden, I carve out six feet of space,
There make my will comply, lie down upon my face,
Been toe to toe too long, I'm tired of fighting you,
I see you were too strong 'cause I am black and blue,
But now I understand a loser's due to win,
How every dying man is sure to rise again,
So I raise my left hand - one,
I raise my right hand - two,
Under the morning sun, my spirit cries to you.

Okay, hear what I say as I raise my hands in surrender today,
Right here under the sun, hands in the air, saying, "Thy will be done,"
I'm here under the sun, hands in the air, saying, "Thy will be done,"
Okay, here I will stay: hands in the air, singing, "Thy will be done,"
Hands in the air, singing, "Thy will be done,"
Have thine own way, have thine own way.