I'll Be Rested - Mavis Staples

I’ll be rested when the roll is called*

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

Until justice flows down and righteousness

Like a mighty stream

Keep alive the names

Of those who put their lives out on the front lines

And died just trying to live and breathe

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

See Medgar Evers

When the roll is called

Andrew Goodman

When the roll is called

James Chaney

When the roll is called

Michael Schwerner and Emmett Till

When the roll is called

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

Carole Robertson

When the roll is called

Denise and Cynthia

When the roll is called

Addie Mae Collins

When the roll is called

Herbert Lee, William Brewster, Louie Allen

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

Yes I will

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

I’ll be rested when the roll is called

See Fred Hampton

When the roll is called

Brother Malcolm

When the roll is called

Robert Kennedy

When the roll is called

Reverend Martin Luther King

When the roll is called

Oh what a time

Oh what a time!

He’ll say: 'Servant, servant well done

Come on home and rest your weary, your weary bones'

I’m gonna join the heavenly choir

I’ll be rested

Oh!

Look here!

Sister Mahalia Jackson

Brother Archie Brownlee

Sister Clara Ward

Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey

Reverend Julius Cheeks

And look over there, there goes Dr. Watts

Sister Marion Williams

Oh my, my, my

Oh there he is, Poppa Staples

And you got your guitar with you

Oh what a time

Singing with a heavenly choir

And we’re going to sing, sing hallelujah

And never get tired

Oh, thank you now

We’re back together now