Thursday, September 08, 2005

Signing Off Till Monday

Because I just can't stay in one place too long. But till then, there's this, for my brother-in-law, who used to live in NOLA; his wife, who met him there; and all the wonderful people of that town---patience, cher. May you rebuild better, and safer, than ever, and may all your dear ones come back to you safe:

0433~Royal-Street-New-Orleans"Well, I wish I was in New Orleans
I can see it in my dreams
arm-in-arm down Burgundy
a bottle and my friends and me
hoist up a few tall cool ones
play some pool and listen to that
tenor saxophone calling me home
and I can hear the band begin
"When the Saints Go Marching In"
by the whiskers on my chin
New Orleans, I'll be there

I'll drink you under the table
be red nose go for walks
the old haunts what I wants
is red beans and rice
and wear the dress I like so well
and meet me at the old saloon
make sure there's a Dixie moon
New Orleans, I'll be there

and deal the cards roll the dice
if it ain't that ole Chuck E. Weiss
and Clayborn Avenue me and you
Sam Jones and all
and I wish I was in New Orleans
I can see it in my dreams
arm-in-arm down Burgundy
a bottle and my friends and me
New Orleans, I'll be there"


---Tom Waits, I Wish I Was In New Orleans

Painting by John Haymsen

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