ROCK PRAYER written by Sheldon Manoo (1995)

Mama always said that good things happen to those that believe in God

And there have been few instances of her being wrong

Cause I still don’t know if dying is good or bad

Mama always tried to show me that in God’s Kingdom I belong

And there has never been a reason that I couldn’t write a song

So why should I discard all the good teachings I’ve had

And throw it all away for rock and roll

Let the devil music get hold of my soul

Well the devil once been a good spirit

And mama always said to look for the good in everything

But not only that rock’s been so good to me

It’s the reason I hold my guitar and try to sing

Rock n’ roll, sweet rock n’ roll!

(Music)

You might see me go to church on one day

Then you see me out here trying to play

Then you see me down at the hip hop place

And when you see me you wonder where else you saw my face

You might see me on the edge of town

And I’ll stand with you on the higher ground

I love to go to church and praise the Lord

Yes I love singing all those holy songs

But don’t you criticize my good judgement

I said I’m a rocker and that is permanent

But way down to the core of it all

I’m just a good ole boy!

Who will rock the night away

Get down on my knees and pray

And I’m never gonna do anybody wrong

Just let me be let me sing my song

I got soul, I got Spirit, I got goodness

Now don’t you try to tell me I ain’t got all this

Cause you don’t know me like God do

And you don’t know me but I do

And I don’t want you to compromise your belief

But I don’t want you to condemn mine

Cause I belief once God sees your heart there’s relief

Though it mightn’t be on your own time!

(Solo)

So let me rock, let me roll, let me scream out loud!

Cause when I rock and I roll I fell so proud!

But don’t stop me from going to my holy gathering

Cause when I’m there it’s my praise I’m offering

You got your way and I got mine

Jesus came to save all mankind!

You say I can’t have my cake and eat it too

But I don’t get my cake until everyone’s true

Don’t you know the church is just a small congregation?

Don’t you know there are a hundred million nations?

Don’t you know in church I feel salvation?

And everywhere else I get inspiration!

I’m a man to be good to my wife

And I’m not messing around with this life

Cause God gave me a gift with a purpose

And my motivation comes from all of us

So please let me be who I wanna be

Cause if I ain’t me I’m a nobody

And mama sometimes said I’d be just what I want to be

But whatever road I choose will be all up to me

Though some signs along would inspire me

So let me pray, let me rock, I am free

Cause I love praising! Oh sweet Sweet praising!

Thank you God for Blessing me to rock!

In Jesus Name!

(Music)