New Orleans
Resilience Rising: Emmylou Harris' New Orleans Anthem
Lyrics
My Lord how the rains came down
Expressing awe at the intensity of the rain
The waters made a mighty sound
Describing the powerful noise of the water
When the levees broke that day
Referring to the breaking of levees during a disaster
Washin' all those souls away
Describing the tragic consequence of souls being washed away
The whole world stood to watch us drown
Highlighting the global attention on the drowning event
But we took it to a higher ground
Asserting resilience and overcoming challenges
It takes more than a hurricane
Stating that a hurricane alone cannot devastate the community
To empty out the Pontchartrain
Referencing the Pontchartrain, implying strength and endurance
Long ago we broke the chains
Reflecting on breaking free from historical constraints
In New Oreleans New Orleans
Emphasizing the resilience of New Orleans
When Brother Bill and Sister Nell
Introducing characters as symbols of unity through song
Are singing like a ringing bell
Describing joy and unity through singing
Then you'll know all is well
Indicating that everything is well when music is present
In New Orleans New Orleans
Reiterating the positive state of New Orleans
Bring it all, fire and flood
Accepting challenges such as fire and flood
Fill the rivers up with mud
Describing the adverse impact of floods
To cut and run ain't in our blood
Asserting the resilience and determination of the community
We are New Orleans
Declaring pride and identity with New Orleans
So baby let the life roll on
Encouraging the continuation of life despite hardships
The blues were made to make us strong
Attributing strength and endurance to the blues genre
We're walkin' in a brighter day
Expressing optimism and a positive outlook for the future
Nothin' can get in our way
Affirming an unstoppable attitude and determination
The whole world stood to watch us drown
Recalling the global attention on adversity overcome
But we took it to a higher ground
Reiterating the triumph of rising above challenges
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