By John Blake, CNN

The voice that rhymed at President Obama’s inauguration, rebuked George W. Bush at a nationally televised funeral and thundered from the pulpit is weaker now.

When the Rev. Joseph Lowery answered the phone from his home in Atlanta, Georgia, this week, he spoke in a gravelly voice not much louder than a whisper.

At 89, the civil rights legend chuckled when asked if he was back at 100 percent after suffering a stroke last year.

“No I’m not back at a 100 percent,” he said with a trace of exasperation. Then his voice softened. “But the Lord is good. I’m doing well.”

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