When the Levee Broke

Clouds came low with a preacher’s face
Sky went black without a trace

They said the wall would hold us tight
That we’d be safe through the night
But water don’t read no man’s plan
It came like wrath across the land

"When the levee broke"

The river spoke
Took our lives
broke our hope

"When the levee broke"

No time to run
No place to hide
Just pray and ride

Mama cried as the porch went under
The roof gave way to rolling thunder
Pictures float of folks we knew
Truth sank deep in the muddy blue

"When the levee broke"

It roared like sin
washed us clean
from where we’d been

"When the levee broke"

No warning bell
Just rise and yell
then drown in hell

The town is gone, but we remain
Carvin’ names in windowpane
We build again with scarred-up hands
But never trust dry land

"When the levee broke"

We saw the truth
in broken beams
and water’s proof

"When the levee broke"

We swore no more
But flood still knocks
on every door

The sky still holds its breath each year
And we still live with soaked-out fear