This is an appeal to any Kosmonaut associated with the recording industry here at dKos. A Kosmonaut has penned a remarkable set of lyrics to a song stemming from the Katrina disaster. As the writer, long-time poster
Ptolemy. has used his diary for today, I am posting the lyrics and his request as a diary on (his?) behalf. See below for lyrics and details. If you are in the music industry, please read.
Ptolemy composed this song in response to the story told by Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard today on
Meet the Press:
The guy who runs this building I'm in, emergency management, he's responsible for everything. His mother was trapped in St. Bernard nursing home and every day she called him and said, "Are you coming, son? Is somebody coming?" And he said, "Yeah, Mama, somebody's coming to get you. Somebody's coming to get you on Tuesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Wednesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Thursday. Somebody's coming to get you on Friday." And she drowned Friday night. She drowned Friday night.
Here are the lyrics--all lyrics are copyright of the author "Ptolemy":
Mama was trapped in the home,
Water was rising, she was by the phone,
Called up her son, "I need someone to rescue me,"
"The Lake's come now, and it's at my knees."
And the son said ...
"Mama, help's gonna get you,
Mama, help's gonna get you,
Mama, help's coming Tuesday,
The governor's called to DC."
Tuesday came, mama was still in the home,
Water still rising, she was left all alone,
Called up her son, "Need someone at the place,"
"Floodin's not stopped, and it's up to my waist."
And the son replied ...
"Mama, help's gonna get you,
Mama, help's gonna get you,
Mama, help's coming Wednesday,
The troops are now on their way."
Wednesday came, mama couldn't get to the door,
Water still pouring all over her floors,
Called up her son, "I'm losing my calm,"
"Devil's still flowing, and He's up to my arms."
And the son yelled ...
"Mama, help's gonna get you,
Mama, help's gonna get you,
Mama, help's coming Thursday,
The President's comin' on down."
Thursday came, mama stood on her chair,
Water still coming, she needed some air,
Called up her son, "Get someone here quick,"
"Flood's still not stopping, it's up to my neck."
And the son sobbed ...
"Mama, help's gonna get you,
Mama, help's gonna get you,
Mama, help's coming Friday,
Just pray and they'll be there real soon."
Friday came, the flood sealed mama's fate,
Mama drowned, went to the Pearly Gates,
... and the angels came down to greet her ...
... and they sang together as a mighty choir ...
... weeping tears into the mighty Mississippi below ...
... they sang ...
"Mama, help's come and got you,
Mama, help's come and got you,
Mama, help's come and got you,
The Lord's taken you from that wicked world."
(Repeat last chorus)
Here are Ptolemy's suggestions:
Can you or another Kossian post these lyrics as a diary, and ... rather than record this ... can anyone with connections get this to:
A) Tom Waits? His anti-Iraq song on the MoveOn album is amazing. I still cry when I hear it.
B) Harry Connick Jr.?
C) Randy Newman?
D) Aaron Neville?
E) Jeez, at this point, I'd settle for Celine Dion.
F) If someone can get this to one of the ragin delta musicians or a blues legend or even one of the moveon crew. I mean, even Green Day or something ... I know the odds are small, but can you make the request on the diary? Anyone?
Yes, anyone? This reminds me of the great traditional classic--in the thread I called it "How High's the Water Mama" but I believe the actual name is "Five Feet High and Rising," brought thoroughly up to date. (Another name that jumps to my mind immediately in addition to those suggested by Ptolemy would be Clifton Chenier, Jr., who I suppose falls into Ptolemy's first line in F.)