Randy Newman – Louisiana 1927

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What has happened down here is the wind have changed
Clouds roll in from the north and it started to rain
Rained real hard and rained for a real long time
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline

The river rose all day
The river rose all night

Some people got lost in the flood
Some people got away alright
The river have busted through cleared down to Plaque mines
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangelne

[Chorus]
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tyrin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away

President Coolidge came down in a railroad train
With a little fat man with a note-pad in his hand
The President say, "Little fat man isn't it a shame what the river has done
To this poor crackers land."

[Chorus]

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Lyrics submitted by archmastermind

Track duration: 02:56

"Louisiana 1927" as written by Randy Newman

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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Louisiana 1927 song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:That happened way back in 1927. You would think that our culture would have evolved beyond that sort of thing. However, as several of you pointed out, history repeated itself once again. Its unfortunate how little has changed.
    And YES, Randy Newman is an under appreciated and misunderstood songwriting genius.
    Flag NateFairbankson April 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This songs expressed a genuine sense of sadness with such few words. Even the comic "With a little fat man" effective gives a sense of an outsider who either doesn't care or can't relate to the people caught up in the tragedy.
    Flag offhandon December 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:They're trying to wash us away.
    Flag montresoron March 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Newman may just be the most effective composer of metaphorical prose in music history.


    "Ain't it a shame what the river has done to this poor crackers land."
    Just like Bush, Cooledge didn't get it. It was never about the river.

    The genious of Randy Newman is a national treasure.
    Flag MarkL5on December 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The Katrina aftermath was reminiscent of the 1927 flood and the President's lack of interest in the plight of the people of Louisiana. Coolidge never went down to Louisiana after the flood. Hoover was in charge of disaster relief and went down there. It helped him win the presidency over Coolidge the next year.
    Flag GoodnightLittleBearon November 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's downright creepy actually. I remember, purely by accident, hearing this song about a week after Katrina hit. I was totally blown away. Replace Coolidge with Bush, and you've got a perfect commentary on the Katrina disaster. Wow.
    Flag svendenon April 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yes, a very eerie song especially after Hurricane Katrina.

    They're tryin' to wash us away..
    Flag Nonfactoron February 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Originally reflective of both a catastrophic disaster to New Orleans and the surrounding area, and also of the lax political reaction that in part led to an immovable African-American democratic voting block, this song has even newer meaning now, as history repeats itself...
    Flag jnb987on September 12, 2005   Link

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