Your pocket’s a little lighter
You’re reeling in the dawn
you make you way down Esplanade
after everybody’s gone
you stand outside her window
she turns her head away
on the day after Mardi Gras day

Let’s all go get our ashes
Let’s get down on our knees
while bits of broken costumes
hang in tatters in the trees
lord, I’m not a praying man,
but I can see no other way
on the day after Mardi Gras day
hey, on the day, after Mardi Gras day

they say it takes only forty days
to make that Jesus die
so why’s it got to happen every year?
we're never going to get it right
so what’s the use in trying?
guess I’ll just sell my car
and disappear

Let’s sleep here in our makeup
with the garbage all around
let’s learn to live another day
with our trinkets on the ground
cause she’s probably on a bus by now
to Miami or L.A.
on the day, after Mardi Gras day
hey, on the day, after Mardi Gras day