It is an anonymous and very popular revolutionary song created in 1792 when the National Assembly votes the Convention and decrees the arrest of the King. Originally from Piedmont, this song first reached the region of Marseille, before reaching Paris. It then became popular throughout France after the fall of the throne to become a hymn of the sans-culottes. During these revolutionary episodes which shook the French 19th century, it reappeared adorning itself with new verses.
* Madam’ Véto =Marie-Antoinette
* Monsieur Véto =Louis XVI
The Carmagnola, 1792
Madam’ Véto had promised,
To have all of Paris slaughtered. (repeat)
But the shot missed
Thanks to our gunners
Let's dance the carmagnole
Long live the sound long live the sound!
Let's dance the carmagnole
Long live the sound of the cannon!
Mr. Véto had promised,
To be faithful to his country. (twice)
But he missed
Let's not make a neighborhood anymore
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
Antoinette had resolved,
To make us fall on our ass. (twice)
But her shot missed,
Her nose was broken
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
Her husband believing himself to be victorious,
Little knew our value. (twice)
Go, Louis, fat paour,
From the temple to the tower
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
The Swiss had all promised,
That they would fire on our friends. (twice)
But as they jumped
As they all danced
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
When Antoinette saw the tower,
She wanted to turn around. (twice)
She was heartbroken
To see herself without honor
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
When Louis saw the grave,
To those he saw working. (twice)
He said that for little
He was in this place
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
The patriot has for friends,
All the good people of the country. (twice)
But they will support each other
All to the sound of the cannon
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
The aristocrat has for friends,
All the royalists in Paris. (twice)
They will support you
Just like real cowards
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
The gendarmes had promised,
That they would all support their country. (repeat)
But they didn't miss
To the sound of the cannon fire
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
Friends, let's always stay united,
Let's not fear our enemies. (twice)
If they come to attack us,
We will blow them up
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
Yes, I'm sans culottes,
Despite the king's friends. (bis)
Long live the Marseillois,
The Bretons and our laws
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
Yes, we will always remember,
The sans-culottes of the suburbs. (twice)
Let's drink to their health,
Long live these fellows!
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound, long live the sound,
Let's dance the Carmagnole,
Long live the sound of the cannon!
Source:New Illustrated Larousse, in seven volumes by Claude Augé, (vol 2 Belloc-Ch).