Story Behind The Song
I wanted to do a song that paid tribute to Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters in an irreverent way. As part of our "Mempis" project we decided to cross Sun-style rockabilly with a country -gospel vocal, and then added in 4 other musically-important performe
Song Description
Somewhat blasphemous spiritual song parody in which famous dead musicians, who may have been considered sinful in their lifetimes, are celebrated in a rockabilly-flavored "holy ghost" song. The musician's names appear in the places where Jesus would typi
| Song Length |
4:12 |
Genre |
Blues - Rural, Country - Religious |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Exultant, Peaceful |
Subject |
Philosophy, Spirituality |
| Similar Artists |
Chet Atkins, The Traveling Wilburys |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1950 - 1959 |
| |
Lyrics
SINNERS OR SAINTS
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson
Rob?t Johnson
Showed me how to live my life
Traveled to the crossroads
Bore that cross for all his life
Robert Johnson
Why?d you have to die?
Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Cholly Parker
Needle took you in your prime
Down on fifty-seventh street
Bebop set us free
Charlie Parker
Died for you and me
Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
B?dy Holly
The Apostle of the rhyme
Made into a martyr
?fore the age of twenty-three
Buddy Holly
Will you pray for me?
Sinners or Saints?
What they is or what they ain?t
Seems they always have to die
Before we all appreciate
Today?s sinners are tomorrow?s saints
Heaven or Hell?
I know that band would play so well
That I would gladly die today
If that?s the price I have to pay
To hear the sinners playin?
Like they?re saints
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
Blessed the blues and set it free
Lit a fire at Woodstock
And he made some history
Jimi Hendrix
Played so soulfully
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Sold the soul of R&B
Curled lips & swingin? hips
Like a rabid country priest
Elvis Presley
Testified to me
Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
M?dy Waters
Can you wash away my strife?
Mannish Boy Messiah
Of the blues electrified
Muddy Waters
Can you hear my cry?
Sinners or Saints?
What they is or what they ain?t
Seems they always have to die
Before we all appreciate
Today?s sinners are tomorrow?s saints
Heaven or Hell?
I know that band would play so well
That I would gladly die today
If that?s the price I have to pay
To hear the sinners playin?
Like they?re saints
©2005, Steve Pasek