Sister Rosetta
Godmother of rock 'n' 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 us 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
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 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