Hold now, the water rising
Coming as the storm arrives
Katrina, come to sink the city
Bust the levee a hundred wide

Hold now
Don't break the levee down
Some come to save the city
Ruin and rage keep pouring down
Flood born of blood and pity
The angel of death soon hear me now

Hold now
Don't break the levee down
Who now will take
The battle of New Orleans?

Climb toward the roofs and shelter
Raise your arms to the sky
Women, children, mothers, daughters
Fathers, sons done left behind

Hold now
Don't break the levee down
War between God and man
Man and man with world no end

Oh, man he chose to build a city
Of sinful mind
God pulled it in

Hold now
Don't break the levee down
Who now will take?
The battle of New Orleans