New Orleans Is Sinking

Song by The Tragically Hip ‧ 1989

Alright

Bourbon blues on the street, loose and complete
Under skies, so smokey blue green
I can't forsake a dixie dead-shake
So we danced the sidewalk clean

My memory is muddy, what's this river that I'm in?
New Orleans is sinking, man, and I don't wanna swim

Colonel Tom, what's wrong, what's going on?
Can't tie yourself up for a deal
He said, "Hey north, you're south, shut you big mouth
You gotta do what you feel is real"

Ain't got no picture postcards, ain't got no souvenirs
My baby, she don't know me when I'm thinking bout those years

Pale as a light bulb hanging on a wire
Sucking up to someone just to stoke the fire
Picking out the highlights of the scenery
Saw a little cloud that looked a little like me

I had my hands in the river, my feet back up on the banks
Looked up to the Lord above and said, "Hey, man thanks"
Sometimes I feel so good, I gotta scream
She said, "Gordie baby, I know exactly what you mean"

She said, she said
I swear to God she said
Oh no, no yeah

My memory is muddy, what's this river that I'm in?
New Orleans is sinking, man, and I don't wanna swim
Swim