Damned old levy Well they knew that it would go Been talking about it Since before my daddy's born Ain't nobody listens to what a poor man has to say But down here we're washed by the water The water can't wash us away Now I hear people talkin' Say I should have up and gone But I ain't got nothing but this place To call my home My father and his father Stay until their dying days Down here we're washed by the water The water can't wash us away Down here we're washed by the water The water can't wash us away We'll put it back together With our own two hands Ain't nobody gonna turn us around It's oddly a little empty And it all seems broken down Oh lord we sure could use you now Then the president came down And said this is awful sad But ain't no words from that man Gonna bring us nothing back And in the ghost of church bells I hear my momma say Down here we're washed by the water The water can't wash us away Down here we're washed by the water The water can't wash us away Been washed by the water, the water can't wash us away Been washed by the water, the water can't wash us away Been washed by the water, the water can't wash us away (everybody sing) Been washed by the water, the water can't wash us away (can't wash us away) Been washed by the water, the water can't wash us away (can't wash us away) Been washed by the water, the water can't wash us away (no no no no no no) Been washed by the water, water can't wash us away (can't wash us away) Been washed by the water, water can't wash us away (one more time) Been washed by the water, water can't wash us away