Take Me To the Mardi Gras
Mark Anthony, Paul Simon
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I been sleeping on the roof of my building It's cooler than the street I been watching the setting sun As it bounces off the avenue Turning into gold dust at my feet Carlos and Yolanda Dancing in the hallway To an old melody Spanish eyes and soft brown curls My love, my love Come to me I believe I'm in the power of st. Lazarus And he holds me in his sight I know that these jitterbug days I'm living Well they won't last for all of us But they'll last for a long summer night I can feel the fire in her eyes Tonight, tonight Under satin summer skies Bernadette Baby, baby, baby Be my special one I seen you move in from across the street I like the way you walk I love the way you run Yolanda Baby, baby No more baby talk Papi, this ain't mayaguez Bernadette & Yolanda This is the island of Nueva York Yolanda We'll go through the projects Make out on the roof Count the stars like silver studs On my motorcycle boots Umbrella man Wastin your time here man, they don?t know what I do Watcha lookin at, little ghetto weed Sucio, I feel like killin you Banana colored light skinned spics You feel your peel so fine I'm Hernandez, the umbrella man Your future's locked in mine The chaplains, and the golden guineas The red wings and the crowns The mighty mau maus, those shines from Brooklyn They want to cut the vampires down, down The savage skulls, the Fordham baldies They'll treat you like you're piss From the heart of the barrio now my brother We tell them mother fuckers suck on this. I think we got something to talk about You're a coolie from the turf That's cool, but you don't get no respect around here unless you belong to a bopping gang... I mean, you either belong or you get hurt Or you can buy some protection from me. Cause if someones got to die To pay for the shit they've done I believe in an eye for an eye Now what you believe in Salvador Agron, Mr.Agron, Senor Agron. Sal I believe I'm in the power of St. Lazarus And he holds me in his sight I believe he watches over us all Don't tear apart This satin summer night Umbrella man Well did you bring me my money My cab fare, my new shoes I got expenses, you know Where's my weekly dues Sal I ain't giving you my fuckin money Umbrella man O ye mother fucker where's this hibarro from You go when I say, I call, you come You know it takes a strong man to survive It ain't no accident that you?re still alive We stand for the neighborhood He still lives with his mother But he sneaks down A coolie in the shadow of the playground You want to fight for your people Don't you sal Sal Well, yeah if I got to Umbrella man Come here I want to show you something This is the cave of the vampires Count Dracula's castle The very sight could turn a white man grey Made in the shade use my umbrella Black like the night we fly in That blade is all you need to keep the dogs away So you want to be a vampire man that's cool We're always looking for young blood Carlos apache collects the dues So bring us something that we can use If you got the balls then come on me te mano If you got the balls then come on me te mano Frenchie cordero goes down to hells kitchen To sell the irish some weed Well this patty boy's mama was on the stoop Starts bitching about spics is a mongo breed Now here comes her son, he looks like a ton Of cornbeef floating in beer, and he says... Fucking Puerto Rican dope dealing punk Get your shit brown ass out of here yeah He says fucking Puerto Rican dope dealing punk Get your shit brown ass out of here yeah Well these shanty town Irish beat his ass good And fractured his collar bone Conio, all I was thinking, what home of the brave? It's a fucking war zone If you got the balls then come on me te mano If you got cohones come on me te mano If you got the balls then come on me te mano If you got cohones come on me te mano
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: DEREK WALCOTT, PAUL SIMON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
13 facts about this song
Song Origin"Take Me to the Mardi Gras" is a song by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It is part of his fourth studio album, 'There Goes Rhymin' Simon'.
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Release DateThe song "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" was released in 1973.
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Genre DefinitionThe song encompasses the genres of folk rock, pop rock, and New Orleans R&B.
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Chart PerformanceThough the song is a popular selection from Paul Simon's discography, it did not specifically chart on any major Billboard rankings.
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CollaborationThe song features the Onward Brass Band from New Orleans, which added to the local carnivals' authenticity reflecting in the song.
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Artist’s PerformanceThe melody of "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" carries a distinctive, playful sound that Simon beautifully marries with deeply emotional and thoughtful lyrics, a characteristic seen in many of his songs.
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Live Performances"Take Me to the Mardi Gras" is a fan-favorite at live performances and is frequently part of Simon’s setlists.
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AppreciationDespite not charting, the song has been performed by various artists over the years, proving its timeless appeal.
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Musical InspirationThe song reflects the integral influence of African American musical practices on the development of popular music genres, particularly in its use of New Orleans' style brass band.
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Production CrewThe song is produced by Paul Simon himself along with Phil Ramone, the famed American recording engineer and record producer.
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Song DurationThe song has a total duration of 3 minutes and 32 seconds.
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Critical AcclaimThe song has been lauded by critics for its brilliant fusion of Simon's folk-pop songwriting with the energetic sound of New Orleans' Mardi Gras.
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Notable CoverIn 1975, the song was covered by British reggae band Greyhound and entered the UK Singles Chart.
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Citation
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"Take Me To the Mardi Gras Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/31681123/Paul+Simon/Take+Me+To+the+Mardi+Gras>.
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