Sister Rosa Parks by The Neville Brothers

[devilgrrl]

December 1, 1955, our freedom movement came alive. And because of Sister Rosa you know, we don’t ride on the back of the bus no more.

Sister Rosa Parks was tired one day
after a hard day on her job.
When all she wanted was a well deserved rest
Not a scene from an angry mob.
A bus driver said, "Lady, you got to get up
cuz a white person wants that seat."
But Miss Rosa said, "No, not no more.
I’m gonna sit here and rest my feet."

Chorus
Thank you Miss Rosa, you are the spark,
You started our freedom movement
Thank you Sister Rosa Parks.
Thank you Miss Rosa you are the spark,
You started our freedom movement
Thank you Sister Rosa Parks.

Now, the police came without fail
And took Sister Rosa off to jail.
And 14 dollars was her fine,
Brother Martin Luther King
knew it was our time.
The people of Montgomery sit down to talk
It was decided all gods’ children should walk
Until segregation was brought to its knees
And we obtain freedom and equality, yeah

Chorus
Thank you Miss Rosa, you are the spark,
You started our freedom movement
Thank you Sister Rosa Parks.
We’ll sing it again
Thank you Miss Rosa, you are the spark,
You started our freedom movement
Thank you Sister Rosa Parks.

So we dedicate this song to thee
for being the symbol of our dignity.
Thank Sister Rosa Parks.

[mom cat]

1. Amen Sister Rosa Parks.

[MuseRider]

2. My children knew all the words

to that song by the time they were in 3rd grade. I used to play it for them all the time, they loved it as did I. I think we wore that CD out. Rosa, what a brave woman and I was so pleased to have been able to introduce her to my children long before they were ever even exposed to hatred and bigotry.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. I taught that song to a group of 5th grade boys

for a program at school a couple years ago. They loved it and did a great job.

[UTUSN]

4. Good Night, Sweet Princess n/t

[goclark]

5. Sweet Princess, Good Night

and may the angels rise to greet you.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

6. I'm of two minds about the song

it gives the impression she was just an innocent bystander with tired feet who got caught up in something. I had always learned that her act was a deliberate flouting of the law to get folks off their asses -- which to my mind is infinitely more courageous.

That said, I will always respect that to my knowledge she never once tried to make a buck off her fame.

[ultraist]

8. The song says it was deliberate. Rosa said, "no not no more."

She stood her ground and was NOT going to give her seat up for a white.

Lady, you got to get up
cuz a white person wants that seat."
But Miss Rosa said, "No, not no more.
I’m gonna sit here and rest my feet."

[Geoff R. Casavant]

10. Well, yeah,

but I doubt her feet were the reason why. I wonder if anyone knows what, if anything, she actually said to the bus driver and the arresting officers?

[proud patriot]

7. Thanks

[Catherine Vincent]

9. Thank you sister Rosa!

I heard those lyrics sung only one time by the Neville Brothers (I don't remember what show) but I fell in love withit the minute I heard it.