"New Orleans Town" words and music by Lee Paxton (February 2007)

The rains came down 
the winds sure did blow
the levies broke
and our hearts did too
many people died
or lost everything they knew
Oh, in New Orleans Town
Oh, New Orleans Town

Federal response came four days late
heck-of-a-job, Bush
Why did you hesitate?
Did another pretzel get caught in your throat
or were you off re-reading "my pet goat"?
When Hurricane Katrina went down
When Hurricane Katrina went down

People had no water or food
Then orders came to shoot looters
But what would Jesus do?
They said whites "scavenge" while black people "steal"
reports used to distort what is real
when this tragedy struck many a door
the National Guard was off fighting a foreign war
Oh, New Orleans Town
Oh, New Orleans Town

Corrupt insurance companies refuse to pay
legitimate claims to this day
while we spend billions to rebuild Iraq
we give our own people such lies and crap
If a tornado destroyed all you had
and if your insurance company said, "you paid, but too bad"
I'm sure you would feel kinda mad and sad
I'm sure you'd wear a frown
If tragedy hit you and took your town
If tragedy struck you and your town

So we yell, scream and cry
try to shout it all away
we prepare for the future
each and every single day
But you never know what might be
heading straight your way
don't forget what happened in New Orleans Town
we'll never forget New Orleans Town


[recorded on Feb. 28, 2007]