Alligator Pie
Stella's Cry: A Poetic Journey through the Devastation and Hope in Alligator Pie
Lyrics
Floatin' in the lower nine
Describing being in the Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans, post-Katrina.
Waitin' for a boat to throw me a line
Expressing a desire for assistance or rescue.
See my Stella smile
Observing a positive moment, possibly a loved one's smile.
Sittin' on a roof eatin' alligator pie
Imagery of a peaceful scene amidst chaos, consuming alligator pie on a roof.
First day the water rise
Recalling the initial flooding, perhaps referencing Hurricane Katrina.
Second day the sun is high
Following the flood, a period of calm and hope.
Third day Stella cries
Emotionally distressing moment denoted by Stella's crying.
'Cause night time's dark as a dead man's eyes
Comparing the darkness of nighttime to a dead man's eyes, portraying extreme darkness.
Lord
Invocation seeking guidance or assistance.
Tell me when help is gonna come
Asking for when help will arrive.
Stella said Daddy, when you gonna put me in a song?
Stella's desire to be immortalized or remembered in a song.
Storm went right on by
Relief that a storm has passed, expressing gratitude for safety.
Thanked the Lord everybody's alright
Thanking God or a higher power for everyone's safety.
Don't mean to throw off a second line
Interrupting the relief with a grim reality caused by the Devil's action.
But the Devil broke the levee and left us here to die
The Devil's destructive act, abandoning them to peril.
Stella said Daddy, when you gonna put me in a song?
Repetition of Stella's desire to be remembered in a song.
Like a dance hall to get y'all down
Repetitive phrases possibly emphasizing a need to uplift spirits like a dance.
Like a dance hall to get y'all down
-Like a dance hall to get y'all down
-All the things we know and everything we hope for
Reflecting on what was known, desired, and certain, which is now altered or lost.
All the things we wanted
-Everything that was sure
-Now there is a scar where the old men used to be
Physical and emotional scars left by the disaster, affecting the community.
The corner store and market where Stella used to sing to me
Nostalgia for a place and memory associated with Stella's singing.
Grace is all I'm asking
Seeking for grace or redemption amidst hardship and loss.
When will Grace return?
-Grace is all I'm asking
Continued plea for grace or divine intervention.
Remember how it feels
Recalling past carefree moments during summer.
Lazy days in the summertime
A repetition of the previous joyful memories.
Then my Stella smiled
Another instance of Stella's smile and her desire to be remembered in a song.
Stella said Daddy, when you gonna put me in a song?
Continued request from Stella to be included in a song.
Tell me, Lord, when help is gonna come
A repeated plea for assistance or guidance.
She said Daddy, when you gonna put me in a song?
Stella's persistent desire to be immortalized through music.
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