Oscar Valdes & Rei Williams: Music

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)
• MP3 short clip, lo-fi play (modem)

You almost drowned didn't you
while the nation looked on
you almost perished
while officials sent queries
What were you guilty of dear
what had you done
that the government dragged on
and it all took so long
Was it because you drank and pranced
because you loved and danced
because you felt and laughed
like every day was your last?
What was it my dear
that turned a deaf ear
to that cry filled with fear
you sent out for all to hear
Did the powers that be
their thoughts filled with dead zeal
think of you as of sin
for how sensuous you've been
New Orleans my dear
don't give up all that cheer
that helped you fight thru the years
and hid the pain and the tears
New Orleans my dear
stay afloat one more year
let us learn from your story
what truth we don't hear
I know in time you will rebuild
the music your veins will fill
and we'll all share the thrill
of that rhythm so real
the levees will be much taller
the pumps will pump much stronger
'n Lake Pontchartrain will stay on shore
and never rise like before
The Quarter will bustle with flair
the artists on Jackson Square
the NInth Ward will find its groove
'n Fats Domino will sing for you
New Orleans city of Jazz
don't you lose your razzmatazz
no flood will hold you back
no storm will break your back
New Orleans New Orleans
sing loud so we can hear
when it's time to head back home
for it is there that we belong