I got inspired to get creative tonight.

 

To the tune of "The City of New Orleans" by Steve Goodman:

 

Praying for the City of New Orleans,

Hammered by that damned ol' hurricane

If the wind and rain wasn't bad enough,

The levee broke and in poured Ponchatrain.

All in the southland jewel we knew

The water keeps on coming through

Rising up over houses, cars and stores.

Flooding sites with well known names,

Bourbon Street's flooded just the same

So's the gravesite of old Marie Laveau.

 

Please help us America, Where are you?

Don't forget us we're your native sons,

We are dying in The City of New Orleans,

Another five hundred gone when the day is done.

 

Suffling along with the old folks and the children.

Where we going? Ain't no one got a clue.

Dragging plastic bags holding our possessions

Oh Lord, tell us, what're we gonna do?.

Well, the cops are flat out helpless

And the politicians too

While ruthless gangs rob, rape, kill and steal.

Mothers with their babes a-dying,

While ducking all the bullets flying

Thirsty scared and hungry is all we feel.

 

Please help us America, Where are you?

Don't forget us we're your native sons,

We are dying in The City of New Orleans,

Another five hundred gone when the day is done.

 

Nighttime in The City of New Orleans,

There's no future here that I can see.

Way it's goin', we'll be dead by morning

This Louisiana nightmare it seems,

will be the death of me.

And all I saw today seems

To fade into a bad dream

And those in charge still ain't got a clue.

The president spouts his crap again,

The refugees will keep on dyin'.

This place's got the disappear-in-history blues.

 

So tell us, America, Where were you?

You forsaked us, each and every one.

I'm the place they called The City of New Orleans,

But after two hundred years or so, I'm gone.

Edited September 2, 200520 yr by YASNY

Very moving.

 

I've listened to Arlo's version of the original a couple times this week. Along with Louie's "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans."

Wow, Yas, I honestly got chills reading (singing) that. Very nice job.

 

Awesome. Someone should record that.

 

Yas - great work!

Awesome. Someone should record that.

 

 

If I was musically inclined, I would. I can carry a tune, but can't play any instruments. If someone wants to take a stab at it, go for it. I'd like to have a copy if anyone does it.

 

Thanks for the kind words folks. Once the idea popped into my head, I had to do it. And once I got rolling, it just kept coming.

Edited September 2, 200520 yr by YASNY

Larry, I hope you don't mind but I passed it on to an old friend of mine from college. It doesn't necessarily fit Joan's voice, but she may have an idea or two.

 

Joan "not my maiden name" Hammel

Larry, I hope you don't mind but I passed it on to an old friend of mine from college. It doesn't necessarily fit Joan's voice, but she may have an idea or two.

 

Joan "not my maiden name" Hammel

 

I don't mind at all. Keep me posted if anything happens.