Sister Rosetta

Sister Rosetta
God mother of rock and roll
The original sister of soul
All our music was in her
She brought rhythm
From the darkness into the light
She brought the good work to the night
To save all us sinners
Rosetta rolled her eyes when she played
She knew that strange things happen everyday
And that the white boy hype would eventually fade
But the way that she played would remain
New York City
It was 1938
The radio couldn’t wait for Rosetta to rock it
Instant sensation
And little Elvis, Chuck and Johnny at home
Heard her on the gramophone and they wouldn’t forget it
Rosetta rolled her eyes when she played
She knew that strange things happen everyday
And that the white boy hype would eventually fade
But the way that she played would remain
Rosetta’s in the Hall of Fame
Don’t let her be forgotten in a church in Arkansas
Remember her teaching the Cotton Club, the glory of the Lord
Don’t let her be forgotten, Rosetta deserves more
Remember her teaching a nation on a train platform in England in 1964
Sister Rosetta
Saw the bright lights fade away
She saw out the last of her days in the suburbs of Philly
Down by the river
She still heard music in the air
Up above her head and everywhere on a train bound for glory
Rosetta rolled her eyes when she played
She knew that strange things happen everyday
And that the white boy hype would eventually fade
But the way that she played would remain
Rosetta rolled her eyes when she played
She knew that strange things happen everyday
And that the white boy hype would eventually fade
But the way that she played would remain
Rosetta’s in the Hall of Fame
Rosetta’s in the Hall of Fame
Rosetta’s in the Hall of Fame