She liked to tell the story, when she was sixty two
Nominated in the category of Best New Artist Debut
If you were a woman of color, pretty sure to be
Playing undercover in obscurity
Like Memphis Minnie before and Sister Rosetta Tharpe
And many more who blazed guitar to a wailing harp
Misogynist racists kept them out of the light
She cleaned houses by day and then took back the night
Men would ask her who taught her to play
She’d say “Jesus!” and then blow them away
She felt it her mission – to play was to heal
If Christ was arisen he’d probably steal
Her amp and her axe and with a lowdown growl
backed by a sax and sinners would howl
Delivered from Sodom yeah they got the Good News:
Beverly Watkins is rockin’ the blues
Throughout November I will be writing a poem every day as part of an effort to raise funds for The Center For New Americans. If you like the poems (or even if you don’t) and would like to support this fantastic organization, please follow this link. Thanks.