Sister Rosetta - Frank Turner

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