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Cajun Favorites for Mountain Dulcimer
by Lois Hornbostel

Le Danse de Mardi Gras

for Mountain Dulcimer

Traditional Mardi Gras in Cajun Louisiana is celebrated in its own unique way. Early in the morning costumed "beggers and bandits" on horseback take to the roads singing "Le Chanson de Mardi Gras." They stop at local farms to beg (or steal) chickens and other ingredients for a big, communal gumbo. In the evening everyone celebrates Mardi Gras with the gumbo and other good food, trickery, music, and dancing before the more austere days of Lent begin.

There are several versions of "Le Chanson/Danse de Mardi Gras," based on what town the riders come from. Unlike more modern Cajun music that has strong blues and country influences, this melody sounds like it could be from Medieval France. The following arrangement from Cajun Favorites for Mountain Dulcimer (MB98402), is inspired by the fiddling and singing of the great Cajun musician Dewey Balfa and is most likely from the Mamou, Louisiana area. The tempo of the tune can change - depending on the energy of the riders!

This piece is typically played in A minor. I tune my dulcimer to the well known DGd (reverse Ionian) tuning and place a capo at the 1^st fret. Note that this piece has 26 measures. That gives it a little more mysterious quality and makes you want to keep it going!