Rosa, Rosa, why didn’t you just move over?

What made you rebel against one more disgrace

As you rode that same bus from place to place.

What made you challenge laws strictly embraced?

Rosa, Rosa, why didn’t you just move over?

With risk of sanctions and physical harm

You must have known you’d be arrested that day

Didn’t you understand your actions would incite quite a fray?

Rosa, Rosa, why didn’t you just move over?

Your disobedience brought boycotts of buses

And mobilized movements.

How could you know you’d bring about such improvements?

Rosa, Rosa, why didn’t you just move over?

Your defiance transformed a preacher named Martin Luther King

And made you a champion for equal rights

When you asked the question, “why are these freedoms just for the whites”?

Rosa, Rosa, why didn’t you just move over?

Your refusal opened the doors for so many more

And caused segregation laws to be changed

Did you know your courage would offer hope to those similarly estranged?

Rosa, Rosa, as you lie in state in a distinguished residence

Usually reserved for diplomats and presidents

In the name of justice and equality we pray

Our country is grateful you didn’t just move over that day….

Laurie Needham

Fall City