Lyrics to I'll Be Rested

[*Instrumental intro with bell:]

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

[Fades:]