The New International Encyclopædia/Carmagnole

CARMAGNOLE, kär′mȧ′nyṓl′ (Fr., perhaps from the Italian town Carmagnola) . The name of a popular song and dance during the French Revolution, rivaling in popularity among patriots and soldiers the “Marseillaise” and the famous “Ça Ira” (q.v.). It first became well known after the storming of the Tuileries, August 10, 1792. The song began with:

“Madame Véto avait promis,”

and every verse ended with the refrain:

“	Dansons la Carmagnole, vive le son, vive le son.
	Dansons la Carmagnole, vive le son du canon!”

The words, however, did not always remain the same; couplets were added from time to time descriptive of the famous incidents of the Revolution, so that the Carmagnole became a typical song of the streets. Fashion soon adopted the word, which was next applied to a sort of jacket, worn as a symbol of patriotism. Afterwards it was applied to the bombastic and fanatical reports of the successes and glory of the French arms. With the passing of the Reign of Terror the song practically disappeared.