(Guitar + Boy) = Us vs. Them = (Hatred + Apathy)
Story behind the song
Tom was a transient soul who I met while living in Florida, and one of the saddest people I've ever known. The last I saw him, he was planning on walking to Louisiana, pre-Katrina.
Andrew Thomas: Vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin
Nick Naioti: Background vocals
Lyrics
I came down from Atlanta, Georgia
And I took to sleeping on a bench down on the Pier
It's been so long since I seen my family
And I sure wish my momma was here
I'm cleaning fish for the tourists
And I'm making less than five bucks a stand
Young man at the gas station, he gives me free coffee
I spend the rest on a sandwich and a can
And if I die in New Orleans
Make sure the storm washes my bones to sea
Cuz if I die in New Orleans
No one's gonna be lookin' for me
The last bit of luck I had
Was coming back from the jungle alive
But when you do the things that I felt I had to do
Most days, you wish that you had died
When I got back, I was forgotten
By my wife, and even by my kids
I found my solace at the bottom of a bottle
And I found my new home on the skids
And if I die in New Orleans
Make sure the storm washes my bones to sea
Cuz if I die in New Orleans
No one's gonna be lookin' for me
Policeman's telling me that it's time to go
This town's got appearances to keep
Tomorrow I'll be walking all the way to Pensacola
So tonight, I better get some sleep
And if I die in New Orleans
Make sure the storm washes my bones to sea
Cuz if I die in New Orleans
No one's gonna mourn for me
Can the circle be unbroken?
By and by, son, we shall see
There's a river to carry me home, oh Lord
As I sleep forever in the sea
