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Open Poetry #36
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Midnitesun
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Gaia

0 posted 2005-09-09 04:47 PM


when they sweep and mop the streets
and the music returns to Bourbon Street
when the floaters are all anchored down
   into their final resting ground
and life renews itself on
the streets of New Orleans,
when we sing along with Arlo
about our travelin days and ways

"Night time, on the City of New Orleans"

and we pass our school US history exams
with the help of a Jimmy Driftwood tune
"in 1814, we took a little trip"

when all these things happen
and the streamers and confetti fly again
on Mardi Gras, fat Tuesday...
we shall once again embrace Life
as a beautiful gift
not to be
taken
for granted

*****
*honoring all who have fought for and loved Nawlins

Jimmy Driftwood lyrics...
"Well, in eighteen and fourteen we took a little trip
along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans,
And we caught the bloody British near the town of New Orleans.

We fired our guns and the British kept a'comin.
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago.
We fired once more and they began to runnin'
down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico."
*
FYI: the 'City of New Orleans' lyrics were written by Steve Goodman, sung by Arlo Guthrie


© Copyright 2005 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved
iliana
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since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
1 posted 2005-09-09 05:56 PM


Yano, Kacy....I have been thinking of these two songs, as well.  I liked what you did here very much.   ......jo

[This message has been edited by iliana (09-09-2005 08:47 PM).]

passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
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displaced
2 posted 2005-09-09 07:15 PM


what memories this brought back..wow

I had a small box record player, where you put the needle onto the record...this was one of my favorite songs

Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2005-09-09 07:27 PM


Oh Wow Kacy!
The poem was fantastic and very positive..
but, when I got to the lyrics of the song..
well...the hair on my arms are still standing on end.
What memories you brought back with that one!
Excellent Kacy, absolutely an excellent post.
Hugs~Nancy

Something tugs at me, I've no doubt of that.
Something from the sea, whichever one I'm near.
When I stray too far from beachland, it calls me back

sweetpoetess
Member
since 2005-02-27
Posts 428
Florida
4 posted 2005-09-09 07:31 PM


This is an awesome piece. I like the positivity.

Poetry is beauty in words.
    

Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
5 posted 2005-09-09 08:55 PM


You know for some darn reason I have never forgotten those lyrics, maybe there was a reason for it.   Good one, Kacy.


Carpe diem ~ Horace
Live Like You Were Dying ~ Tim McGraw

Midnitesun
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6 posted 2005-09-09 09:32 PM


glad you enjoyed
I actually passed a school history test because I memorized that 1814 song
and I still love hearing Arlo sing
"Good nite America how are ya,
hey dontcha know me I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the city of New Orleans
I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done"

Angelheart
Senior Member
since 2005-09-08
Posts 754
Jacksonville,FL USA
7 posted 2005-09-09 10:57 PM


yow, what a memo..but good write of good poetry..thanks for sharing...
JesusChristPose
Senior Member
since 2005-06-21
Posts 777
Pittsburgh, Pa
8 posted 2005-09-10 12:10 PM


Bravo! It seems to fit the times, doesn't it?
JamesMichael
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since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
9 posted 2005-09-10 01:08 AM


Nice writing...I believe Willy Nelson sang the City of New Orleans also...James
wranx
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since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
10 posted 2005-09-10 10:29 AM


Lovely, Kacy!

And thanks for the tidbit...always thought that was Woody's song.

And made me remember seeing Steve Goodman about 100 years ago (In vegas, of all places)

Midnitesun
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Gaia
11 posted 2005-09-10 01:16 PM


lol, just about everybody has a version of Goodman's "City of New Orleans" even Steve had his own original recorded version; but it's always gonna be the Arlo version I remember best, maybe cuz I saw him do it live 2x.
And last night's benefit? I was crying watching/listening to Randy Newman play and sing his Louisiana (1927) "they're tryin to wash us away"
and sighing heavily listening to Dr John's "Walking" song

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