Sister Rosetta Godmother 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 word to the night To save all our sinners
Rosetta rolled her eyes when she played She knew that strange things happen every day 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 every day 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 So 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 every day 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 every day 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