At the girls' school mass this week, the children sang a beautiful song
called 'Our Home, Louisiana'. I had never heard it before and it really touched me that day as I listened. Turns out it's a song by a New Orleans songwriter named Jep Epstein, who wrote the song about the rebuilding of our state after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The song is used in an ad campaign for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. It touches on Louisiana traditions and our sense of family and community that I feel is something that defines our state as a whole.
If you're interested, here are the lyrics:
OUR HOME, LOUISIANA
A flickering lamp, a fire bright,
The lights are on again,
Graceful trees tell quiet tales,
And you remember then.
All our dreams head homeward, chere,
Smiles bring other smiles,
Neighbors, friends, and family join,
Together, we survive.
This is our love,
This is our life,
This is our home, Louisiana,
This is our day, come what may,
This is our home.
A breaking dawn,
a tender morn,
A canvas we design,
The band parades, a jester laughs,
We share momentous time.
And all our hopes flow back to you,
The music plays in time,
The river calls in majesty.
Together, we survive.
This is our love,
This is our life,
This is our home, Louisiana,
This is our day, come what may,
This is our home.
Church bells ring,
the children sing,
My sunshine, you are mine,
Hello old friend,
I knew you when,
Together, we’ll unwind.
May all our prayers be noble now,
May all our work be pure,
May we be thankful once again,
Together, we endure.
This is our love,
This is our life,
This is our home, Louisiana,
This is our day, come what may,
This is our home.
This is our love,
This is our life,
This is our home, Louisiana,
This is our day, come what may,
This is our home.
“Our Home, Louisiana” Words and music by Jep Epstein © 2005 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
If you'd like to hear the song, you can download it here:
http://www.bcbsla.com/web/customer/Our_Home/Our_Home_Louisiana.asp
There's also a CD that Blue Cross has on sale and proceeds go to the Hurricane Relief effort.
For all of you out there that have ties to Louisiana, you know it's a great place, one like no other.
If you've never visited here, I hope one day you can make it down and get to live the feeling that this song speaks of.
12 comments:
What beautiful lyrics. I lived in Lafayette and have been to New Orleans and many other places in the state. Its people, outlook and lifestyle are very unique and wonderful.
What great lyrics! I was just thinking I'd like to hear the music to this when I got to your download link! I'll go listen to it in a minute.
I'd really LOVE to visit Louisiana sometime! If and when I do, can I stay at your house? ;)
Sounds like a great songs. I was there one time. It was an amazing visit and quiet at place. I wish I had more time there....there is just something about the place. Makes you wish that is where you call home.
I've been to New Orleans but that's the only city I've visited. I'd love to go back and do a driving trip from my in-laws house in Texas. That would be crazy/fun.
Renee, how is it in your town with the Katrina folks? Still as congested as it was before? Are things settling down? Are there still obvious needs that the public just doesn't know about?
I have totally seen that commercial a thousand times! :)
I live just 30 minutes from New Orleans, and I definitely agree that there is no place like Louisiana. I love living here despite all that has happened. And to answer you Mary, yes there are still so many needs. I think people would be shocked to know that there are so many places in New Orleans that look the same today as they did the day after the storm. SO much debris still lines the streets, many stores have still not reopened, MANY MANY people are still waiting on FEMA trailers...the list goes on and on. Things will probably never be exactly the same, but we will rebuild and the New Orleans area will once again be a great place to visit!
Mary,
Yes, as LAMommy said, there is still much need in New Orleans. I still haven't been there, but I've heard stories from friends who have. Areas of total devastation that have piles of rubble 2 and 3 stories high. The uptown area has come back somewhat, as they weren't flooded too badly, just mostly wind damage. But there are still businesses closed and businesses that have reopened but are desparate for workers. The FEMA trailer parks have met with opposition in places all around the state. People are losing jobs because of the dire financial situation of the city; my friend there was laid off from her university job last month. It's going to take a long, long time for the city to come back; I can't even guess how long. One thing that helps is tourism dollars, so if you have the chance to visit, please do. Thanks for your concern. Many of us, including myself, tend to forget, as time passes, how much New Orleans needs our help and prayers.
I love that song, too. I didn't think there was much that could make me like Blue Cross, but that at least helped.
You're right. Louisiana is one of a kind...and it's great!
What a pretty song -- thank's for passing it on.
We have been considering moving to the New Orlenes Area to work with cleanup and re building. I have never been there. Thanks for this view!
That's a beautiful song. And I've never been. So maybe one day I'll get to.
Wow - sounds like a goose bump type of momment. I like those.
Never been down there, but it sounds like a place I'd like to visit some time.
beautiful, my sister lived in New Orleans for the last 10 years and left right before katrina. I've visited many times and it is truely a unique and amazing state and city.
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