Rosa Parks dies in Detroit at 92

Rosa Parks' mug shot taken 22 February 1956
by the Montgomery, Alabama Sheriff's Department
after she had refused (on 1 December 1955)
to give her seat to a white man as the bus driver
ordered her to. (Associated Press photo)

Sister Rosa Parks

by The Neville Brothers
(p) 1989 A&M Records

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 God's 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
Thanks Sister Rosa Parks