Originally a founding member in the 1980's of New Orleans' popular Rebirth … Read Full Bio ↴Originally a founding member in the 1980's of New Orleans' popular Rebirth Brass Band, with whom he recorded seven lively albums and toured the world. Ruffins branched out on his own in the early 1990's with his own band, a more traditional New Orleans jazz combo, but has also performed with The Kermit Ruffins Big Band. His style is most reminiscent of great Nawlin's trumpeter Louis Armstrong, He regularly performs with his backing band called the Barbecue Swingers in local New Orleans clubs. Ingeniously, he also shows up with a truck that sells Bar BQ off to the side, easily doubling a night's musician pay, satisfying fans stomach as well as spirit. He's also guested on many recordings including records from artists like Los Hombres Calientes and Harry Connick JR, and appears as himself regularly on the HBO television series Treme.

Tremé Mardi Gras
Kermit Ruffins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

Mardi Gras, in the Tremé
Mardi Gras, in the Tremé
It's Mardi Gras in New Orleans
The Tremé, the Tremé, Mardi Gras

Hey Kermit, hey Kermit
Hey Kermit, hey Kermit
Hey Kermit, hey Kermit

Hey Kermit, hey Kermit

I'ma tell you what it means to love New Orleans
When you gotta have your Jazz and monday red beans
Mardi Gras day on Clairborne in Orleans
And if you forget it you know what that means
I'ma say what it was, 'cause it ain't hard as it seems
I was a Joseph eighth-grader 'cross the street from Tremé
Whilin' out, I bailed when I was just about fifteen
Six-baller feet girl where the troops get mean
We got fourth ward, sixth ward, seventh ward, eighth ward
Claiborne, Rampart, Orleans, Saint-Bernard
Iberville, French Quarter, Canal Street, endlessly
Mardi Gras, downtown bus drop me near Tremé
You tell me what other city you know
Can go on leave on Mother's Day and get a free car show
Stayed out so late you ain't get home till four
And gotta got to work at six, man, you already know
We got Armstrong Park in the heart of Tremé
Congo Square where the slaves would celebrate and sing
People come to check us out from a long, long way
And I'm proud to call it home, yeah, that's where I stay
They say it's hood and it's ghetto, why they wanna come back?
But for us it's not back, it's getting back on track
And we just found out that Obama won
Now New Orleans really feelin' like a change gon' come
So let that reverb run and them trombones play
And the hi-hats ride to the 808
The Indians on the air shouting "fee-na-nay"
And give 'em a dime 'cause I only got eight
No matter what, no matter where I lay
Baby Jay is NOLA-bound at the end of the day, wait
So now you know, what I mean what I say
A-Jock-o-mo fee-na nay, oh hey!

Mardi Gras, in the Tremé
Mardi Gras, in the Tremé
It's Mardi Gras, in New Orleans
The Tremé, the Tremé, Mardi Gras

Hey Kermit, hey Kermit
Hey Kermit, hey Kermit
Hey Kermit, hey Kermit
Hey Kermit, hey Kermit

Claude Tremé was a brother back in the 1700s
He started selling his land to all the free slaves
And they started to build what they called the Tremé
Soon the Jazz started poppin' as I know you can see
That's a little bit of history about the Tremé
So Mardi Gras morning, drive around and see
Trombone Shorty and The Reverb is about to play
You gotta come to the hood 'cause we here to stay
I wanna tell the whole world all about the hype
I know you wanna see us so just catch a flight
And once you get your ass here you won't believe the sights
'Cause the party don't stop until the morning light
We down here smoking with this Tremé shit
You can tell by the tuba that we got a new hit
Now it's Mardi Gras morning and we down in Tremé
If you a scary mother-lover you can ride with me
Smoke weed with me, get high with me
Drink a 40 with me, don't get shy with me
Behind that second-line beat you might die with me
So put your hands in the air and get high for me
The baby dolls all coming and the skeletons too
I gotta tell you baby girl, they be actin' the fool
It's so hot here in Tremé I gotta jump in the pool
Take it on to the bridge if you wanna be cool
If you wanna catch a party on Mardi Gras day
On Basin Street and Robertson, the heart of Tremé
With the U-Haul truck parked up the one-way
With my troubles in my hands, watching Zulu parade
But that's the way we do it come Mardi Gras day
So throw her something in so she might show you her play
It's the old man smoking, watch out, I'm here to stay
The Tremé Mardi Gras will blow you away

Mardi Gras, in the Tremé
Mardi Gras, in the Tremé
Mardi Gras, in New Orleans
The Tremé, Tremé Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras in Tremé, y'all

Hey Kermit, hey Kermit
Hey Kermit, hey Kermit (Mardi Gras)
Tremé Style

Hey Kermit, hey Kermit (gotta come back)
Hey Kermit

Mardi Gras, in New Orleans (Tremé!)
Mardi Gras, in New Orleans
Mardi Gras, in the Tremé
Tremé, Tremé Mardi Gras, yeah!
The Tremé, Tremé Mardi Gras

The Tremé, Tremé Mardi Gras
The Tremé, Tremé Mardi Gras!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kermit Ruffins's song Tremé Mardi Gras depict the lively and festive atmosphere of the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The song emphasizes the rich jazz music and cultural traditions in Tremé, celebrating the spirit of the community. The repetitive chanting of "Mardi Gras in the Tremé" creates a catchy and upbeat rhythm. The lyrics also provide some historical background about the Tremé neighborhood, which was founded by free slaves who built a community around the selling of land owned by Claude Tremé in the 1700s. The song portrays the strong sense of pride and identity that residents of Tremé feel for their neighborhood and its unique culture.

The repetition of "Hey Kermit" is a reference to the musician, who is known for his jazz performances and love for New Orleans. The lyrics also mention other notable musicians from Tremé, such as Trombone Shorty and The Reverb.

Overall, the song captures the essence of the Tremé neighborhood during Mardi Gras, showcasing its vibrancy, cultural richness, and sense of community.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kermit Hampton Ruffins

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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