She was born in New Orleans
Branded with the name Lisa Sawyer
Her mother's name was Eartha
Her father's name was Victor
Worked two jobs to provide for his flock
She was the youngest of seven
She grew up on Louisa Street
Chaos around but inside cozy
Small but a mansion in her eyes
With the wealth you couldn't get from a dark casino
She had the complexion of
The complexion of a sweet praline
Heart warm like Louisiana sun
Of the most beautiful instruments
She found Christ at an altar
All along he was calling her name
The gospel spoken from an old wrinkly man
She was born in New Orleans
She was born in New Orleans
She was born in New Orleans