Lyrics I'll Be Rested - Mavis Staples

I'll Be Rested

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