La chanson des Mardi Gras [English translation]

The Mardi Gras gather once a year1

To ask for charity

They gather once a year

All around the village

Captain, captain, carry your flag

Let's go visit our neighbors

Captain, captain, carry your flag

Let's go on the road

The Mardi Gras ask for the permission to enter

Of every master and every mistress

They ask for the permission to enter

With courtesy

Captain, captain, carry your flag

Let's go visit our neighbors

Captain, captain, carry your flag

Let's go on the road

Give us a little fat chicken

Yes, or a little rice

We invite you to come tonight

And eat some good gumbo

Captain, captain, carry your flag

Let's go visit our neighbors

Captain, captain, carry your flag

Let's go on the road

Would you receive these Mard Gras

This great bunch of big drunks

The Mardi Gras thank you very much

Of your good intentions

Captain, captain, carry your flag

Let's go visit our neighbors

Captain, captain, carry your flag

Let's go on the road

The Mardi Gras come from everywhere

To ask for charity

They gather from everywhere

But mostly from Big Mamou

1. "This song is sung once a year during the traditional « Courir » (running) of Mardi Gras. In rural Cadien (Cajun) Louisiana, horsemen would organize on Mardi Gras day. Under the directions of the Capitaine, they would visit the surrounding farmsteads in search of ingredients for a communal gumbo. In exchange for his « Charity », the riders would frolic for the entertainment of the farmer and his family singing one of the many variations of this song." [http://www.lsue.edu/acadgate/mardmain.htm]