[Intro – Spoken / Whispered Piano + Organ] (Jon’s voice soft, like a benediction) Every street got a Mama Odette. The one who cookin’ and prayin’ at the same time. Who hums the whole neighborhood through the storm. She don’t lead with words. She lead with presence. ⸻ [Verse 1 – Soft Gospel Flow] 🎶 Mama Odette had rosaries made of sound, She’d hum ‘em till the world came ‘round. She said, “Child, joy ain’t what you find, It’s what you carry through the flood in your mind.” She walked on water, but not like saints, Her shoes were muddy, her prayers had paint. Even God, I think, leaned low one day, Just to hear the way she say, “Okay.” 🎶 ⸻ [Pre-Chorus – French Hymnal Lift] 🎶 Maman Odette, ma lumière fidèle, ton amour me suit, doux et éternel. 🎶 (Mama Odette, my faithful light, your love follows me, gentle and eternal.) ⸻ [Chorus – Full Second Line Joy] 🎶 Mama Odette, you kept the time, When the drums were broke, you made ‘em shine. You turned every tear into trumpet gold, Every sorrow into story told. Oh, Mama Odette, belle de la foi, You built heaven right here, ma joie. You said, “Don’t wait for wings to fly — Dance, baby, dance, that’s how we survive.” 🎶 ⸻ [Verse 2 – Spoken/Sung Hybrid] (Jon with piano rolling beneath him) She used to sing over red beans on Monday, talkin’ ‘bout saints like they were cousins. Said, “Don’t you ever let a storm tell you who you are. Let your music do the tellin’.” Then she’d laugh, loud enough to shake the dust off heaven. ⸻ [Bridge – Operatic Soul Moment / Choir Swell] 🎶 Hallelujah sur la rivière, Jésus dans la brass band d’hier. (hallelujah on the river, Jesus in the brass band of yesterday.) 🎶 Mama said faith don’t need no stage, Just a pot, a song, and a little courage. 🎶 (Organ glides upward, choir joins in harmony.) ⸻ [Final Chorus – Uplifting Second Line Groove] 🎶 Mama Odette, you kept the flame, When we lost our homes, you called our names. You said, “Baby, light don’t hide in the rain — It dances through it, again and again.” Oh, Mama Odette, mon cœur, ma fleur, Your love still marches every hour. You taught the city to pray in swing, And that’s why we still sing. 🎶 ⸻ [Outro – Spoken / Piano and Brass Fade] I see her still — walkin’ slow with that parasol, hummin’ something between gospel and jazz. She ain’t gone. She just marchin’ ahead, keepin’ time till we catch up. (Trumpet solo carries her melody into the distance. The snare taps like footsteps.)

Ode to Mama Odette