Poem: "Ode to New Orleans"; Louisiana Submitter: Eddie Bennett Date: 10 Apr 2007 ************************************************ Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ODE TO NEW ORLEANS Eddie B ©September 10, 2005 Born in a swamp Cradled by a river Sired by a Frenchman Raised by a Spaniard Adopted by an American You grew from an infant Alone in the Louisiana wetlands To a grand ole dame, flaunting your beauty during antebellum days And later a tattered old whore Reveling in your faded glory Through it all you danced to the beat of many drummers But mostly your own You danced to Jazz, loudly blaring your brass band Sang the blues down on Basin Street Second lined down Bourbon Street waving your hand And Zydecoed all over town You partied like there was no tomorrow during Mardi Gras Throw me something mister! Through it all, crowned by St Louis Cathedral Underneath all the sinful trappings lies a deep belief and faith in God Known as the city that care forgot Well old girl, I guess care finally caught up with you Even though they kick you while you're down and out You'll come back Been through fires, yellow fever and malaria And they couldn't defeat you, and with your spirit of survival, neither can Katrina Let the outsiders predict your demise But you'll show them that old Louisiana spirit You'll overcome, and come back stronger than ever Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez (Let the good times roll) Mardi Gras will be grander Your Jazz will be sweeter You'll sing the blues, but did you really ever have them Rue de la Bourbon will be brighter and noisier Streetcars clanging down St Charles will run as they always have The bells from St. Louis Cathedral and your many other churches will ring merrier Well "Sha" you may be down, but by no means are you counted out! Red Beans and Rice, Creole Gumbo, Paul Prudhomme, The Saints (oh no!) But we love 'em anyway. Jazz, Zydeco, Blues, and Fats will sing forever in your heart You'll come back second lining, thumbing your nose at your critics Parading up Canal, strolling along the levee, and even "making groceries" Where Yat, howze yo mamma-n-dem, will be heard loud and strong Rex will follow Zulu Cabbages for St. Patty's Jazz Heritage in May Southern Decadence for Labor Day The riverboats racing on the river Life will go on Dancing and singing >From Bourbon Street to Esplanade (I couldn't resist) People will walk to New Orleans Looking for Lady Marmalade Making a cross on Marie Leveau(?)'s tomb In hopes that something will bloom. >From Brennans to Commander's Palace & Dooky Chase's, Clover Grill to Antoine's delicious aromas Will titillate our noses, and make our mouths water Hurricanes from Pat O's to make our head swim Or even maybe a sazarac A muffalatta from Central Grocery Or beignets from Cafe du Monde, with coffee and chicory To wake us up and send us home You'll be back thumbing your nose at care Screaming "Let the good times roll!" and "Geaux Saints!" Second lining to Jazz, throwing me something, Hurry up old girl, I miss you already!