About The Song
There’s a haunting beauty in Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ rendition of “Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us,” a song originally written by Sam Phillips. Featured as the opening track on their 2007 album Raising Sand, this mesmerizing piece sets the tone for the entire record—ethereal, mysterious, and steeped in the echoes of American musical tradition.
Unlike many of the other covers on the album, which reimagine older country and folk songs, “Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us” has a more contemporary origin. Yet, its lyrics and melody feel timeless, as if they belong to another era. The song is a tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the pioneering gospel and blues guitarist whose influence stretched far beyond her time. But rather than a straightforward homage, the song takes on a dreamlike, almost surreal quality, blending imagery of spiritual guidance and personal longing.
Krauss takes the lead on this track, her delicate voice gliding effortlessly through the melody. There’s a spectral quality to her delivery—soft, weightless, and full of quiet reverence. Plant, typically known for his powerhouse vocals, steps back into the background, providing subtle harmonies that add depth without overpowering the song’s fragile beauty.
The instrumentation is sparse yet striking. The plucked mandolin creates a hypnotic, circular rhythm, while the deep, resonant percussion gives the song a heartbeat-like pulse. Layers of echo and reverb make it feel as though the song is drifting through time, floating between past and present. The overall effect is both meditative and haunting, a soundscape that perfectly complements the song’s reflective themes.
“Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us” is more than just a tribute—it’s an evocation of the spiritual connection between past and present, between the influences of those who came before and the artists who carry their legacy forward. Plant and Krauss deliver it with a quiet intensity, making it one of the most striking and atmospheric pieces on Raising Sand.