Louisiana State Song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita Recovery Effort

Come Back to Louisiana Adopted: June 02, 2006

Come Back to Louisiana

lyrics and music by Jay Chevalier and Bobby Attwood

Since you left me the tears are fallin'
Can't you hear my lips a callin'
Come back come back to Louisiana

Katrina/Rita caused this aching
It's my heart you're breakin'
Come back come back to Louisiana

Nothin' seems right
No days just nights
Don't you know I'm lonely
And I want you only

My pirogue' don't pole the same
Some times I don't know my name
Come back come back to Louisiana

Some times I think I'm dying
Even the willow trees are cryin'
Come back come back to Louisiana

H2LABEL

Hurricane Katrina strikes Louisiana
Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

In August, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the city of New Orleans. Then, in September, Hurricane Rita struck the southwestern coast of Louisiana!

The song, "Come Back to Louisiana," written by Jay Chaevalier and Bobby Atwood became the official state song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort when Governor Kathleen Blanco signed House Bill No. 796 on June 02, 2006.

House Bill No. 796 also named Jay Chevalier the official state troubadour for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts.

ENROLLED

Regular Session, 2006 ACT No. 200
HOUSE BILL NO. 796
BY REPRESENTATIVES MARTINY, ANSARDI, AND THOMPSON AND SENATORS DARDENNE, LENTINI, AND MCPHERSON

AN ACT

To enact R.S. 49:170.14, relative to state symbols; to provide for the official state song for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery efforts; to provide for the official state troubadour; and to provide for related matters.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:

Section 1. R.S. 49:170.14 is hereby enacted to read as follows:

§170.14. State song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort; official state troubadour

A. There shall be an official state song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort. The official state song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort shall be "Come Back to Louisiana", a musical composition with lyrics and music by Jay Chevalier and Bobby Attwood; the lyrics reading as follows:
Since you left me the
tears are fallin'
Can't you hear my lips a callin'
Come back come back to Louisiana
Katrina/Rita caused this aching
It's my heart you're breakin'
Come back come back to Louisiana
Nothin' seems right
No days just nights
Don't you know I'm lonely
And I want you only
My pirogue' don't pole the same
Some times I don't know my name
Come back come back to Louisiana
Some times I think I'm dying
Even the willow trees are cryin'
Come back come back to Louisiana
	
B. Jay Chevalier shall be known as the official state troubadour for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts as he travels the world bringing awareness of the destruction caused by the hurricanes and the continuing needs of the people of Louisiana.

Louisiana Law

The following information was excerpted from the Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 49, Section 70.14.

TITLE 49.STATE ADMINISTRATION
RS 49:170.14

§170.14. State song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort; official state troubadour

A. There shall be an official state song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort. The official state song for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery effort shall be "Come Back to Louisiana", a musical composition with lyrics and music by Jay Chevalier and Bobby Attwood; the lyrics reading as follows:

Since you left me the
tears are fallin'
Can't you hear my lips a callin'
Come back come back to Louisiana
Katrina/Rita caused this aching
It's my heart you're breakin'
Come back come back to Louisiana
Nothin' seems right
No days just nights
Don't you know I'm lonely
And I want you only
My pirogue' don't pole the same
Some times I don't know my name
Come back come back to Louisiana
Some times I think I'm dying
Even the willow trees are cryin'
Come back come back to Louisiana

B. Jay Chevalier shall be known as the official state troubadour for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts as he travels the world bringing awareness of the destruction caused by the hurricanes and the continuing needs of the people of Louisiana.

Acts 2006, No. 200, §1.

Sources...

"Louisiana State Legislature." Laws Table of Contents. The State of Louisiana, n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2014. <http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/LawsContents.aspx>.

Martiny, Danny. "Louisiana State Legislature." Bill Info - HB796. The State of Louisiana, 2 June 2014. Web. 15 Aug. 2014. <http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=06RS&b=HB796&sbi=y>.

Additional Information

State songs: Complete list of official state songs from NETSTATE.COM

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official Louisiana state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.

State Songs
of America
Michael J. Bristow

State Songs of America, by Michael J. Bristow. 185 pages. Publisher: Greenwood (February 28, 2000)

State Songs of America provides the music and lyrics for the official songs adopted by the state governments. Arranged alphabetically by state, each song has a single vocal line over a piano accompaniment, with one verse only under the vocal line and remaining verses appearing separately. Each entry includes the date the song was adopted, the name of the composer, and in some instances, a brief history of the song. The book will be a useful reference for those wanting to perform a state song or to find the official songs of other states. Keep in mind that this book was published in 2000 and does not contain later adoptions.

State Songs:
Anthems and Their Origins
John Hladczuk
Sharon Schneider Hladczuk

State Songs: Anthems and Their Origins, by John Hladczuk, Sharon Schneider Hladczuk. 240 pages. Publisher: Scarecrow Press (September 26, 2000)

State Songs: Anthems and Their Origins is a tremendous resource, from which readers will gain insight into the heritage of American statehood. Histories of these songs, biographical information about the composers and lyricists, and background on each song's entrance into status as "official" make this source the most comprehensive in existence. The entries include sheet music, allowing readers to reproduce for themselves the tunes that have proved so important in the history of the Union. Music teachers, history teachers, librarians, and anyone else interested in learning more about the United States will not want to be without State Songs. Organized alphabetically by state. Keep in mind that this book was published in 2000 and does not contain later adoptions.