From: The Boss To: The Decider

Things got a tad political onstage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival last weekend. A number of musicians played songs with political overtones, and some offered their own commentary. Bruce Springsteen took it the farthest.

This Times-Picayune story sets the stage:

Bruce Springsteen said Friday that he has taken a 77-year-old folk song and added his own lyrics to reflect Hurricane Katrina's effect on New Orleans.

His version of "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live" was recorded with his new Seeger Sessions Band in Asbury Park, N.J., according to Springsteen's Web site.

"This song was written by Blind Alfred Reed and recorded a month after the (stock market) crash of '29 that heralded the Great Depression," Springsteen said. "I first heard it on Ry Cooder's self-titled debut album.

"To his arrangement we owe a debt. I kept the 'doctor' first verse by Reed, then wrote three others with a mind to the great trials the people of New Orleans have faced this year."

The lyrics:

"Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his face all bright
And he says, "In a little while you'll be all right"
All he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a great big bill
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?

He says, "Me and my old school pals had some might high times down here
And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just ain't fair"
He took a look around, gave a little pep talk, said, "I'm with you" then he took a little walk

Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?

There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to hell
Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells
Them who's got got out of town
And them who ain't got left to drown
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?

I got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore
And I ain't got no home in this world no more
Gonna be a judgment that's a fact, a righteous train rollin' down this track
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?

Springsteen introduced the song Sunday by saying he had had a chance to travel around New Orleans, and "I think I saw sights I never thought I'd see in an American city. The criminal ineptitude makes you furious.

"It's what happens when political cronyism guts the very agencies that are supposed to help American citizens in times of trial and hardship, and what happens when people play political games with people's lives."

He dedicated the song to "President Bystander."

OK, we're open for comments about how artists are not entitled to have political opinions. This one is powerful.

Watch the video.