Story Behind The Song

Inspired by first-hand experience of the devastation in New Orleans

Song Description

First Person Narrative of Surviving Katrina

Lyrics

SALUT! NEW ORLEANS (c)2006 Roger Idaho

Sure the news folk said oh what a bad place
Lots of crime and looters all about
But Please won't you listen to my story
Please Let me shed another light

It's a story, unique, but one of many
All about what we lost that night
Nothing to do with crime or bad people
Just ordinary folk caught in a bind
Left to fend alone against that water
Praying that that night would not be our last

Welcome to the city of New Orleans
Yes you could say we have had our trials
No way we will let them get us down
New Orleans is just too great a town
New Orleans is just too great a town

Woke up to the sound of flowing water
I'd dozed off just for awhile
Discovered we were already surrounded
Moved first upstairs and then to our roof
All the while the city lay in darkness
Water rising slow but steadily
Laying claim to everything that was mine
Laying claim to everything I owned

Take a pause now listener I implore you
Sit with me there upon my roof
Hear the noises of the city being destroyed
See the pale and deadly glimmer of that water
And wonder with me if you'll see the morning
Wondering if you'll live through this night

Fortunately we were discovered on our rooftop
Rescuers, sent from heaven, picked us up
Yes we got lucky, we were rescued
Dropped upon a highway overpass
Spent the night there praying really hard
Watching helplessly my neighborhood destroyed
I'll tell you I can't describe the feeling
Watching helplessly my neighborhood destroyed

Welcome to the city of New Orleans
Yes you could say we have had our trials
Say a prayer, for ole New Orleans
New Orleans will surely rise again
Yes, New Orleans will surely rise again

Not even quickly was the job done
Water claimed our precious home for days
All that we could do was exactly nothing
Get down on our knees and pray
Dear God somehow let me get through this
Please take from me this terrible helpless rage
Give to me the strength to make it through Lord
Who can watch their home destroyed this way?
Who can watch their home destroyed this way?

Wasn't soon enough they drained the Parish
Too late- there was no home to reclaim
At least we got out with our lives
Some we know weren't that fortunate
At least we got out with our lives
Some we know weren't that fortunate

So that's the story simple horrible and true
I tell it cause I love the city of New Orleans
We deserve a chance now to be born anew
To rise again like the great city we have always been

So if you still believe that I'm guilty
Well come to think of it I guess you're right
'cause if it's a crime to love your home and city
to hurt when your neighbors are all gone
to cry when your home is all but washed away
the yes I'm sure it's guilty that I am
yes I'm sure it's guilty that I am

Love the grand old city of New Orleans
Say Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulez
Yes we love the city of New Orleans
If you knew like I do you'd love it too
Once you know it like I do you'll love it too

New Orleans deep in our hearts we love you
New Orleans we'll say our prayers for you
New Orleans we will not forget you
New Orleans I'm coming home to you

Love the grand old city of New Orleans
Say Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulez
Yes we love the city of New Orleans
New Orleans I'm coming home to you
New Orleans I'm coming home to you

New Orleans I'm coming home to you