From the recording Equality Road Double CD
Oh how we sang this on the road for equality! And what an honor it was to be told Rosa herself was given my album and loved the song. Dee Werner, who wrote the song, lives in St. Louis, and her song has become a legend in its own right. Rosa lives!! (This was recorded live in 1978 - if recorded today, I would repolace the "n" word regardless of its political power at describing racism)
Lyrics
In Montgomery Alabama not a long time ago A colored lady sat down on the bus She was tired, she did day work She scrubbed floors, her feet hurt And since that day, she changed the world for us Because she said, “No sir, I won’t get up. I’m tired and I want to sit down and I won’t get up.” You can talk about Martin Luther King, Have demonstrations, anything Just remember who began it – Rosa Parks! Well in this wide and wicked world, tell me What kind of man Would say to a nice old lady, “Nxxx, get up!” Well she was just like me and you And she did what she must do And she said, “No sir, I won’t get up.” And she said, “No sir, I won’t get up. I’m tired and I want to sit down and I won’t get up.” You can talk about Martin Luther King, Have demonstrations, anything Just remember who began it – Rosa Parks! Well one day the South will rise And the North will realize Who our heroes really truly are And then we’ll tear down those statues Of Robert E. Lee And put one up for good ole Rosie Parks! Because she said, “No sir, I won’t get up. I’m tired and I want to sit down and I won’t get up.” You can talk about Martin Luther King, Have demonstrations, anything Just remember who began it – Rosa Parks!