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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack
Vocals
Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway
Piano
Charles Rainey
Charles Rainey
Bass
Ray Lucas
Ray Lucas
Drums
Eric Gale
Eric Gale
Guitar
Chauncey Welsh
Chauncey Welsh
Horn
Ernie Royal
Ernie Royal
Horn
Frank Wess
Frank Wess
Horn
Garnett Brown
Garnett Brown
Horn
George Marge
George Marge
Horn
John Frosk
John Frosk
Horn
John Glasell
John Glasell
Horn
Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence
Horn
Warren Smith
Warren Smith
Percussion
Alfred Brown
Alfred Brown
Strings
Arnold Block
Arnold Block
Strings
Emanuel Green
Emanuel Green
Strings
Gene Orloff
Gene Orloff
Strings
Leo Kahn
Leo Kahn
Strings
Luis Eley
Luis Eley
Strings
Max Kahn
Max Kahn
Strings
Max Pollikoff
Max Pollikoff
Strings
Peter Buonconsiglio
Peter Buonconsiglio
Strings
Raoul Poliakian
Raoul Poliakian
Strings
Selwart Clarke
Selwart Clarke
Strings
Seymour Myroff
Seymour Myroff
Strings
Tosha Samaroff
Tosha Samaroff
Strings
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Gene McDaniels
Gene McDaniels
Songwriter
Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Joel Dorn
Joel Dorn
Producer
King Curtis
King Curtis
Producer
Lew Hahn
Lew Hahn
Mixing Engineer

Lyrics

This is a song about a very big, strong, Black
Sexy southern Baptist minister
Who thinks that he has his program all together
Until he runs up against a lady
Who shows him that he ain't got it together
His name is Reverend Doctor Lee
Reverend Lee, he went to the water
And he prayed to the Lord 'bout ol' Satan's daughter, yeah
It seems in a dream, child
While he lay sleeping
She climbed in his bed
Starts rubbing and weeping
Oh, she was twisting and turning
She was beggin' and pleadin'
Lovin', burnin'
Pantin' and breathin', ha, ha
"Reverend Lee," she said
Said "Lord knows I love you, child
I will not even place God above you."
Reverend Lee, he lifted his arms high
Said "Heavenly Father, take me home to the sky."
He said "Lord, please don't test me
Not down where she touched me
Oh, my mind is so hazy, Lord, my body is hungry
Oh yeah"
God rolled a thunder then a bolt of lighting
He seemed to be angry
Oh, sure was frightening
The thunder grew louder, louder
Darkened conditions
Just then a voice said "God can not petitioned"
Just then the devil emerged from the water
And he said in a dry voice
"Your God will not barter."
Reverend Lee ran screaming from the water
He was hotly pursued by old Satan's daughter
"Reverend Lee," she said, "Reverend Lee, Reverend Lee
Reverend Lee, oh, do it to me
Reverend Lee, do it to me
Reverend Lee, oh, do it to me
Reverend Lee, do it to me
Reverend Lee, Reverend Lee..."
Written by: Gene McDaniels
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