I'll Be Rested Songtext
von Mavis Staples

[*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:]