The chosen ones are walkin' through the new desert
All the way uptown riverside.
The faces of a father that look a lot like mine,
But i watch them from across the great divide.

Today they've all been forgiven.
Washed clean before another year begins.
Me, i'm playin' in the park with my children.
And i pray they forgive me my sins.

This is my sanctuary
On this high holy day
Lay down the burdens i carry.
In my sanctuary.

The forgotten ones are screamin' from the rooftops.
A thousand souls have all been washed away.
Everyone was told, the levee wouldn't hold.
And now the mourners are marchin' everyday.

And the music keeps right on playin'.
Getting the places water wouldn't fall.
Was it the churches or the chapels
Or was it down at the preservation hall?

This is my sanctuary
You can almost hear the ghosts of trumpet player saints
Lay down the burdens that you carry.
In my sanctuary

The chosen ones are all still searchin'
Waiting for a 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
Lay down the burdens i carry
In my sanctuary

Lay down the burdens i carry
In my sanctuary.
My sanctuary
My sanctuary