Michael Beatty: Lyrics & Listen
Rise
Okra in the fryer
Catfish in the pan
Daddy was a liar
He don’t understand
Mama was a saviour
The queen of hope and grin
Took us to the Holy Cross
Where I made myself a friend
Tomorrow I’ll be married
Tomorrow I’ll be free
Tomorrow you can watch me
Rise...
Crack along the sidewalk
Flower from a seed
Pushed up through the dirt rock
Looked just like a weed
A little purple blossom
Opened to the sun
Had a blaze of glory
After winter come
Tomorrow I’ll be married
Tomorrow I’ll be free
Tomorrow you can watch me
Rise...
Snow is melting on the steeple
Into puddle drops of rain
I was never one for leaving
Till I made myself a name
Brother John spoke some kindness
Sister Charlotte sang the praise
On this sunny Sunday morning
You could hear the angels say...”Rise”
Message in a bottle
Box of Cracker Jack
Say goodbye, oh lord have mercy
I might not make it back
Double dutch for chocolate
Hope for something new
Underneath the El train
Me and you, me and you, me and you
Tomorrow I’ll be married
Tomorrow I’ll be free
Tomorrow you can watch me
Rise...
Snow is melting on the steeple
Into puddle drops of rain
I was never one for leaving
Till I made myself a name
Brother John spoke some kindness
Sister Charlotte sang the praise
On this sunny Sunday morning
You could hear the angels say...”Rise”
Go and tell your Mama rise...