When the Levee Floods the City

When the Levee Floods the City

(out of Louie Armstrong )

We are traveling roads we do not know
seeking shelter and the higher ground
not knowing if we will be reunited
if our children will ever be found.

Oh, when the levee floods the City
when the levee floods the City
Oh lord, I’ll be homeless in that number,
when the levee floods the City.

And when storm clouds hide the sun
and when storm clouds hide the sun
Oh lord, I’ll be homeless in that number,
when the levee floods the City.

When the water turns green with stench
When the water turns green with stench
Oh lord, I’ll be lost in that number,
when the levee floods the City.

On that hellish dayOn that hellish day
Oh lord, I’ll be on my way to glory,
when the levee floods the City.
Oh, when evacuation is called
Oh, when evacuation is called

Oh lord, I’ll be thirsty on the road,
when the levee floods the City.
Some say this City is all trouble, never to be rebuilt
Oh lord, I want a hammer in my hand
when the new Orleans rises from the flood.

When the government finally comes
When the government finally comes
Oh lord, I’ll believe it when I see it
if the government finally comes.

When the man returns to rebuild
When the man returns to rebuild
Oh lord, I want to be dancing in the streets,
when the man returns to see his loss.

When the water returns to the lake
when the water returns to the river
Oh lord, I want to be in the City,
when the water returns to the lake.

When we all have a home and family
When we all have a home and family
Oh lord, I want to be in that number,
when we all join our family in the City.

When our leaders learn humility
When our leaders learn honesty
Oh lord, I want to be in that number
When the truth comes marching in.

Copyright 2005 Gary Blankenship

Gary Blankenship is offering the above poem gratis to any artist who records it with the proceeds going to disaster relief.

The first band to sign up is http://www.plenitud.us/HomePage.html