Twas the Night Before Christmas (A New Orleans Prayer)

Dave's version of the Night before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, let me give you the scoop.
Not a creature was stirring, cause they all fled the coop.
No G-Ma in Lakeview, no Joe in Chalmette,
No Towanda on St. Claude, no one's heard from her yet.

No Boudreaux in Waveland, no Jacque in Grand Isle,
No Jean in Slidell, man that girl makes me smile.
The place it was emptied by Katrina's great tide.
They all headed north, now they're spread far and wide.

As I sat there alone, I wondered out loud,
What Christmas would bring without the usual crowd.
And I questioned how Santa would find all my friends,
Now they're gone cross the country from beginning to end.

So I sat at my desk, which was no more than a book,
Cause all of my stuff damn Katrina done took.
And I wrote me a letter, crafted with care,
Made my list for St. Nick, a New Orleans prayer.

I start, "Pere Noel, you know times are hard,
And I guess fun and laughter, well they're not in my cards.
But I have a few favors to ask on this night,
And perhaps you can help before morning's first light.

I ask for good weather, so all of these crews
Can give lights to the city, before this year's through.
Bring water and gas to all of the houses,
And to Rite-Aide, and Popeye's, and Frost Stop and Rouse's.

\nA shopper or two, and a "We\'re Open" sign.\nAnd the schools sitting empty, now void of all noise,\nA teacher or two and some girls and some boys.\n \nFor those who lost loved ones, I ask that they find\nSome love in their hearts and some peace in their mind.\nAnd for those who were lost who had no one to cry,\nFamily in heaven to sit by their side.\n \nTo the four legged creatures, and the ones who have wings,\nA backyard to run in…a big cage with a swing.\nFor the people who found them, and fed them, I pray \nThat their own little companions never wander or stray.\n \nFor the young men and women who protected our streets,\nWho gave ice and gave water, and something to eat.\nMay the heavens look down and see all that you\'ve done.\nAnd bless you and your families for lifetimes to come.",1]
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And for all of those businesses, once doing fine,
A shopper or two, and a "We're Open" sign.
And the schools sitting empty, now void of all noise,
A teacher or two and some girls and some boys.

For those who lost loved ones, I ask that they find
Some love in their hearts and some peace in their mind.
And for those who were lost who had no one to cry,
Family in heaven to sit by their side.

To the four legged creatures, and the ones who have wings,
A backyard to run in…a big cage with a swing.
For the people who found them, and fed them, I pray
That their own little companions never wander or stray.

For the young men and women who protected our streets,
Who gave ice and gave water, and something to eat.
May the heavens look down and see all that you've done.
And bless you and your families for lifetimes to come.
\n \nAnd as long as I\'m asking these favors of you,\nThere is one more thing that I wish you would do.\nIn the Dome let the Saints win just one more game,\nWhile those two words, New Orleans, are still in front of their name.\n \nBut mostly the reason I\'m writing today,\nIs for something we both know won\'t fit on your sleigh.\nFor all of the people who wander and roam,\nFor the New Orleans natives from Houston to Nome.
\n \nA place to come back to, with family and friends.\nThe knowledge that soon their long journey will end. \nFor all of those people in shelters and trailers,\nA place to call home, oh, and no levee failures.\n \nSo when you head South on your sleigh ride tonight,\nYou may find very few people, and fewer bright lights.

And as long as I'm asking these favors of you,
There is one more thing that I wish you would do.
In the Dome let the Saints win just one more game,
While those two words, New Orleans, are still in front of their name.

But mostly the reason I'm writing today,
Is for something we both know won't fit on your sleigh.
For all of the people who wander and roam,
For the New Orleans natives from Houston to Nome.

A place to come back to, with family and friends.
The knowledge that soon their long journey will end.
For all of those people in shelters and trailers,
A place to call home, oh, and no levee failures.

So when you head South on your sleigh ride tonight,
You may find very few people, and fewer bright lights.
\nSo shout "Merry Christmas New Orleans, wherever you are

But the spirit is here, sent back home from afar.
So shout "Merry Christmas New Orleans, wherever you are."