The Carmagnole
Annotation
Sharing its name with a popular dance, this song heaps scorn upon the queen (Madame Veto), believed to be a traitor, and the "aristocrats" who support her. Like "It’ll Be Okay", the simple tune of the "Carmagnole" permitted even the illiterate to learn lyrics with which to proclaim their conviction in the Revolution’s progress.
Transcription
La Carmagnole
I
Madame Veto avait promis,
Madame Veto avait promis.
de faire égorger tout Paris,
de faire égorger tout Paris.
Mais son coup a manqué,
grâce à nos canoiners.
Refrain:
Dansons la Carmagnole
Vive le son,
Vive le son,
Dansons la Carmagnole
Vive le son du canon.
II
Monsieur Veto avait promis (bis)
D'être fidèle à son pays, (bis)
Mais il y a manqué,
Ne faisons plus quartié.
Refrain
III
Antoinette avait résolu (bis)
De nous faire tomber sur le cul; (bis)
Mais le coup a manqué
Elle a le nez cassé.
Refrain
IV
Son Mari se croyant vainqueur, (bis)
Connaissait peu notre valeur, (bis)
Va, Louis, gros paour,
Du Temple dans la tour.
Refrain
V
Les Suisses avaient promis, (bis)
Qu'ils feraient feu sur nos amis, (bis)
Mais comme ils ont saute!
Comme ils ont tous danse!
Refrain
VI
Quand Antoinette vit la tour, (bis)
Elle voulut faire demi-tour, (bis)
Elle avait mal au coeur
De se voir sans honneur.
Refrain
Refrain
Refrain
Translation
The Carmagnole
I
Madame Veto has promised
Madame Veto has promised
To cut everyone's throat in Paris
To cut everyone's throat in Paris
But she failed to do this,
Thanks to our cannons.
Refrain:
Let us dance the Carmagnole
Long live the sound
Long live the sound
Let us dance the Carmagnole
Long live the sound of the cannons.
II
Mr. Veto had promised (repeat)
To be loyal to his country; (repeat)
But he failed to be,
Let's not do quarters.
Refrain
III
Antoinette had decided (repeat)
To drop us on our asses; (repeat)
But the plan was foiled
And she fell on her face.
Refrain
IV
Her husband, believing himself a conqueror, (repeat)
Knowing little our value, (repeat)
Go, Louis, big crybaby,
From the the Temple into the tower.
Refrain
V
The Swiss had promised, (repeat)
That they would fire our friends, (repeat)
But how they have jumped!
How they have all danced!
Refrain
VI
When Antoinette sees the tower, (repeat)
She wishes to make a half turn, (repeat)
She is sick at heart
To see herself without honor.
Refrain
Refrain
Refrain