The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #84266   Message #1567593
Posted By: GUEST,Stephen Johnson (dantesdad)
21-Sep-05 - 08:48 AM
Thread Name: Song Challenge: Killer of New Orleans
Subject: RE: Song Challenge: Killer of New Orleans
Here's a version of City of New Orleans I threw together two weeks ago. I posted it in my LiveJornal at http://www.livejournal.com/users/dantesdad/306914.html

and here's the full version to save you from having to click. It helps to play Arlo's version to figure out the cadence. I tried to follow his version as best as I could...

City of New Orleans
By Arlo Guthrie - originally written by Steve Goodman - Katrina rewrite by Stephen Johnson

Living in the City of New Orleans
I'm gettin' by, but poor as poor can be
I voted for the man who'd keep me safest
By God, I knew he'd do alright by me.

All along the length of Bourbon Street friendly faces smile at me
Strolling down past cafes, pubs and bars
Passing I remember when, city full of old black men
Played saxaphones under the moon and stars.

Good mornin' America, how are you?
Don't you know me? I'm your native son!
I'm the place they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be doing fine soon as this storm is gone.

You know some say you lied to take us to war
Betting our lives, hoping no one's keeping score
Cut our funds and hoping for the best
But I hear the waves lapping at my door

You said no one could ever forsee this disaster
But that lie you tried to spread was soon revealed
Families with no cash or car, prayed to God to please stand guard
But the rising tide just would not recede

Good mornin' America, how are you?
Say don't you know me? I'm your native son!
I'm the jewel called the City of New Orleans.
I'll be under 20 feet when the day is done.

Swimming through the City of New Orleans
Wish I was in Memphis, Tennessee
Superdome, yeah we'll be there by morning'
And the federal government sure will rescue me

But all the men and women seem to drown in this bad dream
And the journalists still ain't told the truth
The president, he lies again
And asks us not to assign blame
This rain's sure made me lose my faith in you

Good night America, how are you?
Say don't you know me? I'm your native son!
I'm the lesson called the City of New Orleans.
I'll lose 50,000 lives before the nightmare's gone.