[Intro – Spoken over drums and horn warm-up] The thing about a New Orleans march — it don’t wait for the sky to clear. We march through the rain, through the heartbreak, through the names carved in the floodwater. We call it the second line, but really… it’s the first step back to life. (Snare roll — then brass enters with a slow, noble theme.) ⸻ [Verse 1 – Spoken-Sung, steady stride] 🎶 Boots on the pavement, hearts in time, Carrying names in a broken line. Every horn a hallelujah call, Every drumbeat a tear that won’t fall. We ain’t forgot — we remember loud, We sing for the living and the lost aloud. Marchin’ slow, but the soul feels fast, Grief in the front, joy in the back. 🎶 ⸻ [Chorus – Full Band and Choir Lift] 🎶 March of the Broken Saints, We rise from the water, we shake off the paint. Brass cry mercy, drums say grace, We find our heaven in this place. Marche des saints brisés, La foi vit dans chaque pas qu’on fait. ( March of the broken saints, faith lives in every step we take ) 🎶 ⸻ [Verse 2 – Call and Response with Choir] 🎶 (Jon) Who dat walkin’ with no shoes on? (Choir) Somebody the river couldn’t own! (Jon) Who dat singin’ in the morning rain? (Choir) A broken saint with a whole lot of praise! (Jon) The trumpet weepin’, the children laugh, (Choir) Two halves of the same holy path! 🎶 ⸻ [Bridge – French Operatic Interlude] 🎶 Seigneur, garde nos cœurs, brûlants mais tendres, Lord, hold our hearts, burning but kind. La lumière danse sur les ruines anciennes, The light dances on the ancient ruins. 🎶 (Trumpet solo — echoes of “Kyrie Eleison” phrasing.) ⸻ [Chorus – Return, Bigger and Brighter] 🎶 March of the Broken Saints, Turn that pain into a holy chant! From Bourbon to Heaven, the band gon’ play, Joy and sorrow parade today. Marche des saints brisés, Ton courage est mon ciel doré. ( March of the broken saints, your courage is my golden sky ) 🎶 ⸻ [Finale – Call and Response / Street Chant] (Jon shouting over band groove) Say oh-oh-oh! (Choir echoes) Light on the water! (Choir echoes) Say oh-oh-oh! (Choir echoes) We ain’t gone, we just marchin’ farther! 🎶 Every saint once broke their crown, But still they dance, they won’t stay down. From the river’s cry to the church door’s ring, We are the song the storm couldn’t sing. 🎶 ⸻ [Outro – Soft Brass and Choir Fade] When you hear that drum, child, follow it. It ain’t the end — it’s just the turn. The saints ain’t broken, he smiles, they just learning a new rhythm. (Horn fades out on a long, majestic note — the parade disappears down the street.)