Eh, La Bas


Eh La Bas is a traditional New Orleans song. Originally it was sung with Creole lyrics but was later given French lyrics and the common title from the French lyrics. There have been numerous versions, including English lyrics that refer to both the Cajun and French versions, and all employ a call and response.

Lyrics

Original Louisiana Creole lyrics and English translation:
E la ba! Hey over there! Hey over there!
E la ba! Hey over there! Hey over there!
E la ba, chèri! Hey over there, dear lady!
Komon sa va? How's it goin'?
Mo chè kouzen, mo chè kouzin,My dear cousin, my dear cousin,
mo lenme la kizin!I love the kitchen!
Mo manje plen, mo bwa diven,I eat a lot, I drink wine,
e sa pa kout ariyen.and it costs me nothing.
Ye tchwe kochon, ye tchwe lapen,They kill a pig, they kill a rabbit,
e mo manje plen.and I eat a lot.
Ye fe gonmbo, mo manje tro,They make gumbo, I eat too much,
e sa fe mon malad.and that makes me sick

French lyrics and English translation:
Eh la bas Hey over there
Eh la bas Hey over there
Eh la bas cherie Hey over there friend
Comment ça va How are you
Mon cher cousin, ma chère cousineMy dear cousin, my dear cousin
J’aime la cuisine,I like the kitchen
Je mange beaucoup, je bois du vinI eat a lot, I drink wine
Et ça ne me coûte rienAnd it costs me nothing
Je tue un cochon, je tue un lapinI kill a pig, I kill a rabbit
Et je mange beaucoupAnd I eat a lot
Je fais du gumbo, je mange tropI make gumbo, I eat too much
Et ça me rend malade.And that makes me sick
L’autre jour j’ai mangé tropThe other day I ate a lot
Court-bouillon poissonCourt-boillon fish
Mon conte a vous allant vomisMy story to you goes vomit
Vomis, comme un cochon.Vomit like a pig

English lyrics

English lyrics by Louis Brown and Bob Stevens:

Versions

As a traditional song it has no copyright and its origins are uncertain. It has been widely recorded by New Orleans bands since the 1940s: