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
Until justice rolls 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
Oh, oh, uh, uh
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, good God
And look over there, there goes Dr. Watts
Sister Marion Williams, Sister Brandy Lacock
Oh my, my, my
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
Oh man I miss you'll
But we're back together now