The Progress of the City of New Orleans (The City of New Orleans, Steve Goodman)

I was surfing the web yesterday looking for a midi of The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and one of the pages I searched had The City of New Orleans playing on it. At once, I thought, "I should try that one," and my dad's suggestion moments later that I do just that gave me added motivation. Last fall, while working at the calendar kiosk in the mall, I heard this song almost every day. It was my third season working there, and the frequency of that song was increased considerably after Hurricane Katrina hit. Though it isn't about New Orleans at all, the wistful tone really affected me, and it was one of my favorite songs for several months. Like so many other people, I was riveted to the ongoing hurricane coverage, and for me the source was Good Morning America. They haven't failed me yet...

The Progress of the City of New Orleans

Last year was a bad one for New Orleans,
Buffeted by the wind and driving rain.
Broken levees, mass evacuations...
All because of one terrible hurricane.
And we saw the pictures on TV,
The unrelenting tragedy,
Refugees stuck in the Astrodome.
We opened our wallets and
Our hearts, and throughout the land,
We felt just a bit more gratitude for our homes.

Good Morning America, I watch ya
When the mornin' sky is painted by the sun.
You've shown the progress of the city of New Orleans,
And I know that you'll be there when the job is done.

Every day I would listen to your coverage:
Breaking news from Charlie and Diane,
Forecasts from persistent and tempest-tossed Tony
Holding down his hood next to his van.
And the heart-felt hometown stories
Robin told to us each day
Made the whole disaster seem so much more real.
Even though it happened far
Away, when I saw floating cars
And abandoned homes, I couldn't help but feel.

Good Morning America, I watch ya
When the mornin' sky is painted by the sun.
You've shown the progress of the city of New Orleans,
And I know that you'll be there when the job is done.

We have watched the city of New Orleans
Make a slow but sure recovery
Thanks to your broadcasts every mornin'.
Though it struggled, it's retained its diverse identity.
And yes, we know it may take years
And another flood of tears
Till New Orleans truly thrives again,
But your show inspires us to hope,
To make a difference and to cope,
So we will keep our eyes trained on you till then.

Good Morning America, I watch ya
When the mornin' sky is painted by the sun.
You've shown the progress of the city of New Orleans,
And I know that you'll be there when the job is done.