I was asked by the BBC in London to write and record a blues song documenting the disaster of Hurricane Katrina for broadcst on BBC Radio 4, "Today"news program. Here's the song. Played and sung solo using acoustic guitar in the Delta blues style.
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Story behind the song
I was asked by the BBC in London to write and record a blues song documenting the disaster of Hurricane Katrina for broadcst on BBC Radio 4, "Today"news program. It was recorded live on KKFI-FM 90.1 radio in Kansas City, MO on 9/9/05. Played and sung solo using acoustic guitar in the Delta blues style. I have tried to capture the power of the storm, the devastation it left behind, the effect on the people of the Gulf Coast, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Lyrics
Katrina, Oh Katrina (Hurricane Blues)
Words and music by
Michael "Hawkeye" Herman
©2005 M.Herman/Topaz Productions
www.HawkeyeHerman.com
Katrina, oh Katrina
You have such a lovely name
Katrina, oh Katrina
You have such a lovely name
But since Hurricane Katrina
Things will never be the same
You were born out on the water
But it was land that you would claim
You were born out on the water
But it was the earth that you would claim
Katrina, oh Katrina
You have such a lovely name
Your wind it started rising
Then your mighty waters came
Yes, your wind it started rising
Then your mighty waters came
Katrina, oh Katrina
You have such a lovely name
So many dead, so many homeless
It's a sad and crying shame
So many dead and thousands homeless
Yes, it's a sad and crying shame
But Katrina, oh Katrina
Such a lovely, deadly name
You brought ruin to New Orleans
The land where blues rose up to fame
Yes, you brought your devastation
To where these blues rose up to fame
But Katrina, oh Katrina
You have such a lovely name
The lesson you have taught us
There is no storm that man can tame
Yes, there's a lesson you have taught us
There is no storm that we can tame
Katrina, oh Katrina
You have such a lovely, deadly name
We're going to start all over
All you've destroyed we will reclaim
Yes, we're going to start all over
All you've destroyed we will reclaim
But we won't forget Katrina
Such a lovely, deadly name
Katrina, oh Katrina
You have such a lovely name
Katrina, oh Katrina
You have such a lovely name
But since Hurricane Katrina
Things will never be the same