Odetta Holmes (1930-2008) Poem by Francis Duggan

She sang prior to the great speech of Martin Luther King
And for the Inauguration of Baracka Obama she was invited to sing
But Odetta the renowned songstress it does seem sad to say
Will not sing for President Obama she has passed away
From the World of the living the great songstress has gone
But her marvellous voice on c d will live on
The Odettas of this World to say the least rare
With her there are few who could hope to compare
The great gift of song is a wonderful thing
To millions of people happiness it does bring
In decades from now people will rejoice
At the recorded sound of her beautiful voice
Odetta the great singer she has passed away
A tribute to her on the radio today.