OK, this isn't a storm song, but has anyone performed "The Lakes of Ponchartrain" as a Katrina memorial? I was listening to my Déanta CD (Ready for the Storm) a few days afterward, and realized that the similarities were truly haunting. Displacement and sorrow are relieved by warmth and simple kindness, I'd like to post the lyrics, although I'm sure many people are familiar with this beautiful song.

LAKES OF PONCHARTRAIN

Twas on one bright March morning, I bid New Orleans adieu;
And I took the road to Jackson town, my fortune to renew.
I cursed all foreign money, no credit could I gain,
Which filled my heart with longing for the lakes of Ponchartrain.

I stepped on board a railroad car beneath the morning sun;
I rode the rods till evening and I laid me down again.
All strangers there, no friends to me, till a dark girl towards me came,
And I fell in love with a creole girl by the lakes of Ponchartrain.

I said, "Me pretty Creole girl, me money's here no good,
And if it weren't for the alligators, I would sleep out in the woods."
"You're welcome here, kind stranger, our house is very plain;
But we never turn a stranger out on the banks of Ponchartrain"

She took me into her mammy's house and treated me right well;
Her hair upon her shoulders in jet black ringlets fell.
To try to paint her beauty, I'm sure 'twould be in vain,
So handsome was my Creole girl by the lakes of Ponchartrain.

I asked her if she'd marry me, she said this could never be,
For she had got a lover and he was far at sea;
She said that she would wait for him and true she would remain,
Till he returned to his Creole girl by the lakes of Ponchartrain

So fare thee well, my bonny own girl, I never may see you more;
But I'll ne'er forget your kindness in this cottage by the shore,
And at each social gathering, a flowing glass I'll drain,
And I'll drink a health to me Creole girl by the lakes of Ponchartrain.

***

*sniffle*

I used to sing this all the time...maybe I'll revive it for the Open House this winter.

Molly