For Sidney Bechett

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a musician's note, "narrowing and rising," evoking New Orleans "reflected on the water." This immediate connection between sound and place sets a shimmering, almost illusory scene. The music seems to conjure a collective, romanticized vision of the city. It's a powerful, sensory introduction to the transformative quality of sound. This initial evocation quickly reveals a tension between idealized perception and a more complex reality. The music builds a "legendary Quarter" of "balconies, flower-baskets," suggesting a picturesque, carefree image. Yet, the mention of "appropriate falsehood wakes" hints that this shared vision might be a comforting illusion, perhaps glossing over the grittier aspects of "Mute glorious Storyvilles" or the commercialized "Sporting-house girls." The lyrics skillfully contrast these collective, sometimes superficial, interpretations with a deeply personal experience. While "scholars manques nod around unnoticed," lost in their own "olds plaids," the speaker finds profound resonance. The musician's "voice falls as they say love should, / Like an enormous yes," a striking simile that elevates the musical experience to something intensely intimate and affirming. This shift in perspective makes the lyrics so effective. The music isn't just a backdrop for a city; it's a direct, healing force. The speaker declares, "My Crescent City / Is where your speech alone is understood," suggesting a unique, almost spiritual bond. The music is "greeted as the natural noise of good," actively "Scattering long-haired grief and scored pity," transforming personal sorrow through its undeniable power.