Go Down, Water

Go down water to the other side, go down

Go down water to the other side, go down

Done topped the levee, then you broke on through

I don't want any more trouble with you

Go down water to the other side, go down

Go down water and rise no more, go down

Go down water let me see my floor, go down

Somebody tell me, please, where is my Lord

While the devil's taking souls from door to door?

Go down water and rise no more, go down

Go down water, let my children come home, go down

Go down water, now I'm all alone, go down

Go down water, this is all I own

Don't let the devil take my body to the Superdome

Go down water, let me stay in my home, go down

Go down water, from Gentily to Chalmette, go down

Go down water, ain't you finished yet? Go down

Go down water, while we've still got time

The clock is ticking on the people in the Lower 9

Go down water, while they've still got some time, go down

Go down water for a hundred years, go down

Go down water, wash away my tears, go down

Goddamn water and your crown of fears

And Goddamn the Army Corps of Engineers

Go down water for a hundred years, go down

*

The following is another song about New Orleans in the aftermath of
the storm, entitled "Dreamless."

Lyrics below. 

Dreamless

Every night a wind blows through this town

It's trying to turn my heart around

And it could start a fire

Yes, it could start a fire

And burn my whole life to the ground

And every morning I watch your sleeping face

You look so scared and out of place

I want to make it better

I want to make it better

I want to wake you from that strange dark place

But I cannot let my fears leave you dreamless

That cannot be the cost

For what is wrong, and what is wronger?

Nothing more than dreamless

Did C. Ray Nagin wreck my life? Or should

I blame it all on President Bush?

You know I can't

I can't remember,

I cannot

I can't remember

Which hero led me so astray

And there were times when my dark side would take control

Times that I embraced the blackness within my soul

Yes there were times, there were times

There were times

But I cannot let the fires burn me green-less

I will not join the lost

For what is death, and what is failure?

Nothing more than dreamless

What is wrong, and what is wronger?

What is death, and what is failure?

What is violence, what is anger?

Nothing more, nothing more, nothing more

Than dreamless

*

In the following clip Louie does some Q&A with the audience. The first
two questions come from legendary New Orleans author and Louie's
good friend Poppy Z. Brite.

*

The following clip was the final tune of the night, a song called "Glory,"
which speaks to the hard realities we all face -- while simultaneously
acknowledging the undeinable powers of hope and faith; elements
that have always made New Orleans the vibrant and culturally
rich place it is and always will be.

Lyrics below.