President Bystander...
Springsteen Expresses New Orleans' PainAP- New Jersey's favorite son was adopted by New Orleans on Sunday, as Bruce Springsteen — through speeches and song — vocalized the anger, frustration, pain and resilience of this hurricane-battered city at the annual Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Decrying what he called "criminal ineptitude" in Hurricane Katrina's wake, Springsteen jabbed at the political powers he deemed responsible for New Orleans' slow recovery.
Perhaps the most pointed moment came as he prepared to sing an old song that he had rewritten lyrics to for New Orleans. Noting that he visited the city's ninth ward, perhaps the most devastated area in the city, Springsteen said: "I saw sights I never thought I'd see in an American city," and added: "The criminal ineptitude makes you furious."
With that, he launched into a song titled "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?" and dedicated the song to "President Bystander." Its lyrics included the lines: "There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to hell ... them who's got out of town, and them who ain't got left to drown, tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?" [continued]
Perhaps the most pointed moment came as he prepared to sing an old song that he had rewritten lyrics to for New Orleans. Noting that he visited the city's ninth ward, perhaps the most devastated area in the city, Springsteen said: "I saw sights I never thought I'd see in an American city," and added: "The criminal ineptitude makes you furious."
With that, he launched into a song titled "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?" and dedicated the song to "President Bystander." Its lyrics included the lines: "There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to hell ... them who's got out of town, and them who ain't got left to drown, tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?" [continued]
I have always been drawn to Springsteen's integrity, humility, and honesty. Besides, the Boss was....well...THE BOSS when I was growing up and still is!
posted by Patrick J. Fitzgerald at 5/01/2006
10 Comments:
The Boss Rules!! :)
Boss is good.
President? doesn't even know when to be embarassed; as for Snow Job, Dr Evil Cheney and Spin Dr Rove, the policies set forth in that administration
WILL CONTINUE. THEY WILL NOT ABATE.
It is time for the American public to seize back AMERICA and the Constitution.
For those that voted for W the second time, it is a perfect example [sad to say] of..." be careful of what you ask for you just might get it".
As for the former people of NOLA --they experienced first hand, hell on earth. There is NO excuse for our corrupt government and there is zero reason for them to remain.
Indictment for Mr Rove and then Mr Cheney and One HELLUVA Impeachment.
ALL GOOD for AMERICAN JUSTICE
Fitz
I was in school and a little older then the Boss in Asbury Park New Jersey. It was a time of questions and change. My generation saw things that made us question America. Bruce is seeing that some got left behind and those of my generation have forgot what we learned. The stuggle of human life is made into a song its called the music of life. Fitz every generation has to work hard to form its equality and peace.
I smell pork cooking.
Karl, are you in the house?
I think he just left...but his smell remains strong and stinky!
Does Karl Rove still have his passport?
The worries continue - we're heading into 2006 Hurricane Season and NOLA still has no protection.
Obviously the Bushco's have decided it is a city that will be allowed to die.
Basheert
I think they have "bigger" plans for New Orleans and it smells like big OIL!
Not to mention, he's looking g-o-o-d!
Yes, the Boss rules. I am glad that more and more artists like the Boss are stepping up to the plate to give a voice through music of the social injustices that we are having in America thanks to the Gerbil!!!
Post a Comment
<< Home