Over the years, I have developed certain classic Carnival traditions of my own (as most people in this town do). I am what you call a “ball-goer.” I try to attend as many of the large carnival balls as I can. In 2008, I consumed a mass quantity of energy drinks and few thousand diet cokes, which provided me with the stamina to make an appearance at the big three: the Endymion Extravaganza, the Bacchus Ball, and the Orpheus Orpheuscapade.
I’m still working off that hangover.
Lyric Sheet To "If Ever I Cease To Love" (Photo Credit: www.rexorganization.com)
Winding Down With Rex and Comus
After all the revelry of the Carnival season, and the events leading up to it, Mardi Gras night has become a sacred “restful” institution in my house. Like a runner who has passed the finish line of a massive marathon, I offer those weary, exhausted souls one last hoorah before Ash Wednesday begins.
With a huge pot of red beans and rice, multiple boxes of Popeyes Chicken (“Ain’t no pawty like a popeyes pawty, y’all”), and the last remaining crumbs of king cake, my “tribe” gathers at 7pm on Mardi Gras night for the viewing of The Rex/Comus Ball on WYES. (*details of the Rex/Comus drinking game will not be discussed in this article. Thanks ~Mr. Credo).
Meeting of the Courts
Each year at the meeting of the courts, there’s a particular song that is played over and over (and over and over). The theme to Rex is a song called “If Ever I Cease To Love.” After listening to the play by play by the on-air commentators and Mardi Gras Historians (like Mr. Mardi Gras Authur Hardy), “If Ever I Cease To Love” is considered to be THE pinnacle Mardi Gras song, as well as the most traditional.
Really, guys? I’ve never heard that song in my life.
My curiosity was peaked and I went on a mission to find out everything I could about this ultimate Mardi Gras song. As it turns out, “If Ever I Cease To Love” is steeped in tradition and remains probably the oldest Mardi Gras tunes out there.
Rex Doubloon from 1872. (Photo Credit: www.rexorganization.com)
After the founding of the Mystic Krewe of Comus in 1857 (and their nighttime torch-lit parade), the Krewe Of Rex established several key factors that would become staples for the entire Carnival tradition in 1872: the Mardi Gras flag, the official colors of purple, green and gold, and the “royal anthem” of a song titled “If Ever I Cease To Love.”
In classic New Orleans style, the song comes from a burlesque show entitled “Blue Beard” and features some of the craziest lyrics this side of a Christina Aguilera National Anthem performance:
“If Ever I Cease To Love, If Ever I Cease To Love/May cows lay eggs and fish grow legs, If Ever I Cease To Love.”
Our very own Edward Branley recently told the fascinating story of how these insane lyrics have anything to do with Mardi Gras.
So here we are, a bunch of hung-over, exhausted, sunburned, Popeyes-eatin’ twenty somethings on Mardi Gras night…without a clue that this song (played over and over at the Rex Ball) is quite literally a key link to the birth of modern Carnival.
If I Ever Cease to Listen to Mardi Gras Music
You won’t find the tune on many Mardi Gras compilation CDs. The song is practically buried under the classic Carnival R&B hits by guys like the Nevilles and even Oliver “Who Shot The LaLa” Morgan (yes, that’s the name on his birth certificate). There are several great versions of “If Ever I Cease To Love” on iTunes ready for download.
So if you happen to find yourself at your grandma’s house on Mardi Gras night watching the Rex/Comus ball, impress ya maw maw that you know that classic tune that keeps playing over and over. Maybe even sing a lyric or two. The oldest Mardi Gras song in the book is likely one of the most important songs in the history of our city.
“May the moon be turned to green cream cheese, If Ever I Cease To Love.”
What’s your favorite Mardi Gras anthem?
FREE Weekly Roundup!
Enter your email address for updates on all the best things happening in New Orleans.
