On the steps of Gallier Hall,
the mayor toasts Rex and wishes good cheer to all.
The great Crescent City has shut down
opening her arms to visitors from out of town.
Walk on through, that's what you should do.
Observe people of all colors, all classes.
Sing and strut as you mingle with the masses.
Keep walking, follow the sound.
You'll run into people cavorting on the neutral ground.
You'll see a White Charmaine and Aaron Neville
sing a duet to angels holding hands with a devil.
This Aaron may have the characteristic mole
but, he ain't got the voice that touches your soul.
Look!
There goes a man wearing only a poop-stained diaper.
He's trying to keep pace with the rats following a Pied Piper.
Smoking human heads on a corn and potato filled dish
are being carried by none other than a walking crawfish .
Somebody's little old grandma is hooked up like a tattooed biker chick.
She's riding shotgun with Bamm-Bamm carrying his big stick.
You'll see the Zulu queen down on the avenue called Jackson.
Her grass-skirted tribesmen are stomping for some action.
Kid's and grown folk shout, "throw me sumthin' mister!".
Watch out!
Sometimes a throw results in a hickey or a blister.
Tourists reach for the coveted Zulu coconut.
Huh, we locals know you'd better duck.
You can buckjump to the sound of St Aug's band marching 100 strong.
They may be tired but, the beat goes on.
Folks camped on St. Charles Ave. before dawn are cooking on the grill.
They brave any temperature to share in the thrill
of seeing the trucks roll by.
Then, scrabble for whatever their riders let fly.
Stumbling down the streetcar tracks,
a pair of stunned drunks puke last night's "hurricanes"
onto a family of pink elephant's trunks.
With many blocks to go, a huge gyrating crowd in tow
bright plumed Indians walk the neighborhoods chanting.
Many firewater stops makes the chief's words become ranting.
A truly beautiful sight to be seen
is the return of the Baby Dolls in their shiny sateen
dancing up on Claiborne and Orleans.
In the Quarters the drag queens are puttin' on a show.
They lookin' good too doncha' know.
Half-heartedly, cops threaten fresh faced girls for making lewd passes.
When their backs are turned, the crowd is flashed with tits and asses.
Come one, come all!
New Orleans has let her hair down for a true bacchanalian ball.
Many times in our city we fight and act like idiots.
Both Black and White.
Today, it's all about the purple, green and gold.
It's Mardi Gras y'all.
What a magnificent sight to behold.
copyright # TXu1-260-432
Adding your comment:
Nicely written, gives a happy go lucky vision of a good time. Your Friend "BOO"
