I have to confess that I’m kind of fascinated by R. Kelly. I can never tell if he’s some great genius whose accomplishments I don’t quite understand and and whose greatness won’t be recognized until long after he’s passed, or if he’s just one of the least self-aware human beings on the planet.

And for some bizarre reason, I can’t pull myself away. One time I watched all 22 chapters of Trapped in the Closet in one sitting. Today, I transcribed the lyrics to his “Sign of a Victory,” one of the anthems for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and quite possibly the worst song ever recorded. I couldn’t find them online, and I wanted to have them all written down for posterity.

The only part I couldn’t decipher was the female backup vocals that follow the most predictable key change since “Man in the Mirror.” If anyone can, please let me know in the comments section. Here’s the song:

And here are the lyrics:

I can see the colors of the rainbow
And I can feel the sun on my face
I see the light at the end of the tunnel
And I can feel heaven in this place.

And that’s the sign of a victory
That’s the sign of a victory

I can feel the spirit of the nations
And I can feel my wings riding the wind, yeah
I see the finish line just up ahead now
And I can feel the rising deep within.

That’s the sign of a victory
That’s the sign of a victory

Now I can see the distance of your journey
And how you fought with all your might
You open your eyes to global warming (Ed. Note: Huh?)
And through it all you sacrificed your life.

That’s the sign of a victory
That’s the sign of a victory

If we believe, we can achieve anything
Including the impossible, this I know
So let’s lift up our heads, yeah
And raise the flag, yeah
Scream like you’re born to win
Now let the dance begin!

That’s the sign of a victory
That’s the sign of a victory
That’s the sign of a victory
That’s the sign of a victory

When you keep on fighting
After you’ve lost your strength
That’s the sign of a victory
When darkness is all around you
And you still find your way
That’s the sign of a victory
You’ve got the victory, sing
C’mon and sing!
Lift up your voice and sing
That’s the sign of a victory
Ohhh, that’s the sign of a victory.