Chris's Rants

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

When the levee breaks

When the levee breaks - Kansas Joe McCoy
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
And the water gonna come in, have no place to stay

Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan
Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan
Thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home

If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
And all these people have no place to stay
I am pretty certain that the lyrics to this song, which I have on my iPod (as covered by Led Zepplin), will serve as a vivid reminder of the devastation in N'awlins wrought by Katrina following the breach in the levee separating the waters of Lake Pontchatrain from the city.

Though I've been there only three times, New Orleans is probably my favorite U.S. city. Great food, great music.

It's hard to imagine a city of a half a million people just vacant.
Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to lose
I hope that last line is not prophetic, though I suspect that "The Blues" will have an entirely different meaning for many of the city's residents than it had before yesterday.

posted by Chris at Tuesday, August 30, 2005 | 2 comments

2 Comments:

  • That same song came to mind for me when I was watching the footage of the devastation.That song was originally written by an early Blues artist who went by the name"Memphis Minnie"back in 1929.She was originally from Louisiana.She later moved to Miss. then Tenn.The Mississippi river and the Delta have flooded many times over the years but not like this.It would be fitting for this song to be redone to raise funds to help these people.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 11, 2005 2:30 AM  

  • Actually, it was written by Kansas Joe McCoy, but performed by Memphis Minnie with Kansas Joe accompanying her (check the iTunes link in the post).

    I like the idea of a cover to raise money.

    By Blogger Chris, at September 11, 2005 6:04 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home