My Sanctuary

The chosen ones are walking through the new desert

All the way uptown to Riverside

The faces of the fathers

They look a lot like mine

But I watch them from across the great divide

Today they have all been forgiven

Washed clean before another year begins

Me I'm playing in the park with my children

And I pray that they forgive my sins

This is my sanctuary

On this High Holy Day

I lay down the burdens I carry

In my sanctuary

The forgotten ones

Were screaming from the rooftops

A thousand souls had all been washed away

Everyone was told

The levees wouldn't hold

Now the mourners are marching everyday

And the music keeps rights on playing

'Cause of all the places water wouldn't fall

It wasn't the churches or the chapels

It was down at the Preservation Hall

"This is my sanctuary"

You could almost hear the ghost of some old trumpet player say

"Lay down the burdens you carry

In my sanctuary"

The chosen ones are all still searching

Waiting for the savior to appear

While you and me

We congregate in mystery

And I listen to you whisper in my ear

This is my sanctuary

Brothers and sisters let us pray

I lay down the burdens I carry

In my sanctuary