New Orleans is sinking man and I don't want to swim

I am very sad about the flooding devastion in New Orleans. I have been to that glorious city twice (once just after SXSW in 1998 and for a week to celebrate New Year's Eve 1999) and I will cherish my memories of it including the highlight of getting a tour of Kingsway Studios personally by owner Daniel Lanois when the Afghan Whigs were recording their final album '1965' there. (Notice how Track 11 on that album is called "The Vampire Lanois".)

While reading some articles about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, someone pointed out an old article written on Sept 11th, 2001 (weirdly). It's quite something.

NEW ORLEANS IS SINKING BY JIM WILSON
Published on: September 11, 2001

And after seeing that article, it can't help but make me thing of a certain song by the Tragically Hip.

"New Orleans Is Sinking"

Bourbon blues on the street, loose and complete
Under skies all smokey blue-green
I can't forsake a dixie dead-shake
So we danced the sidewalk clean
My memory is muddy, what's this river that I'm in?
New Orleans is sinking man and I don't wanna swim

Colonel Tom, What's wrong? What's going on?
You can't tie yourself up for a deal
He said, "Hey north you're south shut your big mouth,
You gotta do what you feel is real"
Ain't got no picture postcards, ain't got no souvenirs
My baby, she don't know me when I'm thinking 'bout those years

Pale as a light bulb hanging on a wire
Sucking up to someone just to stoke the fire
Picking out the highlights of the scenery
Saw a little cloud that looked a little like me

I had my hands in the river
My feet back up on the banks
Looked up to the lord above
And said, "Hey man thanks"
Sometimes I fell so good, I gotta scream
She said Gordie baby I know exactly what you mean
She said, she said, I swear to God she said...
My memory is muddy what's this river that I'm in?
New Orleans is sinking man and I don't wanna swim