"Take me to Heaven in New Orleans"

When I go to that land in the sky,
take me out in New Orleans style.
A great jazz band celebrating Al Hirt,
singing Lady Day or playing the Bird.

Lots of people celebrating my life,
the triumphs and the tragedies,
the mountain peaks and the valley lows,
I lived, loved and put on a show.

I want the champagne flowing
and plenty of toasts,
for the woman I was and wanted to be,
the pleasure I gave; the drama I craved.

Bury me next to Marie Laveau.
Her tomb; a party in black velvet nights.
Burning candles and hanging gris-gris,
all for miracles in the Wicked City of Delight.

The cities of the Dead never sleep.
Rusty gates squeak all night.
Open to visitors, both the living
and cold vapor shadows that need no keys.