this is also the way I always understood it:
The line, "Pumped a lot of pain down in New Orleans" is actually "Pumped a lot of 'Pane," as in propane. He was pumping gas.
OK, but 'tane would be short for "octane", also a gas reference, so we're closer than you thought.
Who pumps propane? I've always heard this as 'tane, short for octane. (Weren't the gas
companies always touting their high octane ratings in the '60s?) Given the singer just mentioned
cleaning a lot of plates in Memphis, it seems they're talking about low-wage jobs, such as gas
station attendant. Louisiana has a significant fraction of the U.S. refinery capacity, but I doubt
that's what the song is referring to.
BTW, I thought this set was just good. Given that 1971 is perhaps the best year ever, that
actually means this wasn't a very strong show (I grade on a curve). 1971 sets can and should
always be great, and this one wasn't.