I can clearly see the water line
as I climbed up your steps
this whole room, this whole house
this whole town smells like death
but in this aftermath you still have the guts to smile
I want to be like you and let my dying light just shine

take these broken hands
kiss them with your ruddy lips
help me make a stand and be like you
the more you lose, the more you give

you said you watched the water
covering up your bed
watched it creeping up your stairs
like watching the tide you said
now you're going down to Jackson Square to go sing for the people
I want to be like you and learn to fear no evil

take these broken hands
kiss them with your ruddy lips
help me make a stand and be like you
the more you lose, the more you give

the deeper the water got
the louder you sang your song
the police said evacuate
but the people sang along
the river overflowed
and levees might have broken
but you dug deep into yourself
and gave your gift of hope

take these broken hands
kiss them with your ruddy lips
help me make a stand and be like you
the more you lose, the more you give

Posted Wednesday, June 6th 2007