Every now and then, a friend and fellow activist sends an e-mail around titled “Another Reason To Be Politically Active”. It always contains an account of some new outrage from the neocons and their horribly failed administration. He knows it will put enough fire in our bellies to gather enough energy to rise up and fight some more.
One such travesty that should simmer in our hearts forever is the drowning of New Orleans. This morning, I happened upon this haunting requiem from John Stewart, formerly of the Kingston Trio and NMSherwin.
Here is my reason for today to remain politically active. Many thanks to Nikki for the video.
Title: New Orleans
Songwriter: John Stewart and Buffy Ford
Copyright: © John Stewart, All Rights Reserved
Recording: The Day the River Sang (Appleseed Records, APR CD, 2006)
Lyrics:I never got to see New Orleans
Or hear her mournful sound
Hear that singing through the doorways
The tapping on the ground
Dancing feet on Bourbon Street
The jazz, the blues, the beat
I never got to see New Orleans
Or feel the Delta heatYeah, I never got to see New Orleans
The parade on Easy Street
When Mardi Gras was swingin’
To the Dixieland retreat
Voodoo Alley, sweet King Cake
Confetti rain, for heaven’s sakes
I never got to see New Orleans
Or feel the Delta heatAnd her waters may be rising
But Orleans is still alive and
Forever she will sing to me
The lullabies of used to be
Will I ever see New Orleans
And hear those melodies?I never got to see New Orleans
Or the Gulf of Mexico
And hear the old piano man
Play the blues of long ago
And feel the simmer, taste the sweets
And hear the hum on Canal Street
Will I ever see New Orleans
And feel the Delta heat?I never got to see New Orleans
Ride the river to the sea
Hear the muse of Louisiana
Sing her heart to me
Fats and Louis and Dixieland
She is the river, she is the land
But I never got to see New Orleans
Or hold her in my hand
