The Day The Levy Broke

The Day The Levy Broke - August 2005

Hurricane Katrina
wanted no man alive.
The Good Ol Boys
said Head to the Dome
For those who can't get out on your own..
and they left us here all alone.

And we are praying

We are the United States
We will brave the wind, the storm
and the man-made mistakes.
The storm stole all our material things
But we're grateful
for the hope that life brings.
Yes, we are grateful for the hope that life brings.

And now we're waiting

August 2005
Levy gave way
wanted no man alive.
Water rising all around us
Who has got a cell phone?
Man, they left us here all alone
They left us here on our own.

But, we're still praying

We are the United States
We braved the storm, the levy
and the man-made mistakes
Can't let child see dome horrible things
But I'm grateful for the hope
that life brings.
Yes, I'm hopeful for the hope that life brings.

And now we're waiting

The Dome is dark and all are scared so
Mama's getting weak because her sugar is low
Whispers don't let child see me go
But child knows when mama goes
A child always knows when Mama goes

And now we're grieving

Sorrow that washes despair
Tears shedding natural wash mama here
All the reasons to US are unknown
Father, take her to your heavenly home
Father take her to you heavenly home.

And now we're reeling

Next day no water supply
Child looks up to me with searching eyes
"Daddy I'm thirsty" in a weak voice
To a papa I don't have no choice
The Good Ol Boy can't her voice

And now I'm Looting

I survived the tragedy
Now I got to do right by my family
How exactly grateful do you want me to be?
Life's force caused my destiny
And I'm going to do right by baby

And now I'm fighting

Child lost mama, her strength and her home
Plans out there made but we're all alone
Mama’s not here no more in the Dome
This shelter is her resting stone
Babies Blanket is her resting stone
Baby stoking the resting stone

And now we're praying

September 2005
We're doing our best just to survive
Please cry baby so I know you’re alive
This is changing me deep down inside
We're all changing way deep down inside
And now I'm angry
Taking babies and wives from the man
Never thought this could happen in Our Free Land
Can't get my head around it to understand
Chaos everywhere here for the man
Just got to do the best that I can

They say I'm looting

Cameraman and the new on TV
Film me taking supplies for baby
How exactly grateful do you want me to be?
While your watching me on your TV
They call me looter and Refugee
Darling, looter and a Refugee

But I'm still praying

Bad water surrounds little ones
I know New Orleans has mightier sons
We're taking water, food and some meds
Surviving in this homestead
My shoulder now is babies bed
Strong shoulders now for babies bed.

And I'm still hopeful

Go ahead and call me Refugee
A looter, a black man that you see on TV
But I'm no Good Ole Boy Judging from a safe place
I'm a papa looking in babies face
A widowed papa looking in babies face.

And now I'm praying

We are the United States
Braved wind water, and the man-made mistakes
Katrina came and slapped the Dome's nose
We survived, then filthy water rose
At least we're together I suppose
I need strength God only Knows

And now I'm hopeful

Baby clinging to me for life
Got to hang on because I promised my wife.
I'm a good Papa and a God loving man
And I'm a damn good American
Yes, I'm a damn good American.
So we sit here in this filth for awhile
Don't judge US because we're all God's child
I lived through this tragedy
With what's left of my family.
I'm grateful for the life of baby.

And now I'm thankful

Those who saw the reality
Of people caught up in this tragedy
Forced the country with stategy
Forced the help to come for my baby
I'm as grateful as a man can be.

And now I'm grateful

Neighbor forced them to get up and DO!
Showed the Good Ol Boy what I already knew
Said if TV can get in so can you
Not just a good TV crew
If one can get in so can you
What one man can do
Another can do.

We are the United States
Neighbors praying and angry bout manmade mistakes
Got to save the child for God sakes
To save my family this is what it takes
Thank you lord and the United States

I thank you neighbor

Pray for me and the child
I'll be grateful for your love for awhile
Remember I'm the writer
and the reader will sound
And in this we're forever bound
Yes, in this we are forever bound.

And we're still praying....

Written by Dawn Matley Maselli

Copyright 2005