Le Boudin

Le Boudin (French pronunciation: [lə budɛ̃]) is the official march of the French Foreign Legion. Le Boudin is a reference to boudin, a type of blood sausage or black pudding. Le boudin colloquially meant the gear (rolled up in a red blanket) that used to top the backpacks of Legionnaires. The song makes repeated reference to the fact that the Belgians don't get any "blood sausage", since the King of Belgium at the time forbade his subjects from joining the Legion.

While the tune was composed prior to the Legion's departure for Mexico in the 1860s the words were probably adopted shortly after 1870 as many men from Alsace and Lorraine (regions recently lost to Germany) joined the Legion^{[citation needed]}.

Le Boudin is sung while standing to attention by all ranks of the French Foreign Legion. The Legion marches at only 88 steps per minute, much slower than the 120 steps per minute of all other French military units. Consequently, the Legion contingent at the Bastille Day march brings up the rear. Nevertheless, the Legion gets the most enthusiastic response from the crowd.

Lyrics

French

English

Tiens, voilà du boudin, voilà du boudin, voilà du boudin Pour les Alsaciens, les Suisses et les Lorrains, pour les Belges y en a plus, pour les Belges y en a plus, ce sont des tireurs au cul. 1st sonnerie Nous sommes des dégourdis, Nous sommes des lascars Des types pas ordinaires. Nous avons souvent notre cafard, Nous sommes des légionnaires. 1st couplet Au Tonkin, la Légion immortelle À Tuyen-Quang illustra notre drapeau, Héros de Camerone et frères modèles Dormez en paix dans vos tombeaux. 2nd sonnerie Nos anciens ont su mourir. Pour la gloire de la Légion. Nous saurons bien tous périr Suivant la tradition. 2nd couplet Au cours de nos campagnes lointaines, Affrontant la fièvre et le feu, Oublions avec nos peines, La mort qui nous oublie si peu. Nous la Légion.

Here you are, some blood pudding, some blood pudding, some blood pudding For the Alsatians, the Swiss, and the Lorrains, For the Belgians, there's none left, For the Belgians, there's none left, They're lazy shirkers (repeat) 1st sonnet We're at ease, We're rough-and-tough No ordinary guys, We've often got our black moods, For we are Legionnaires 1st couplet In Tonkin, the Immortal Legion At Tuyen Quang we honoured our flag, The heroes of Camerone and model brothers Sleep in peace in your tombs 2nd sonnet Our ancestors died For the glory of the Legion. We will all perish According to tradition. 2nd couplet During our far-off campaigns, Facing fever and fire, Forgetting with our sadness, Death, which forgets us so little. We're the Legion.

External links

• Le Boudin mp3 audio