Considered a great honor, this is one of the most distinguished aspects of New Orleans culture. Its roots lie in the customs of the Dahomeans and Yoruba people, and is a celebration of both the person’s life and the beauty and solemnity of their death. The procession is lead by the Grand Marshal, resplendent in his black tuxedo, white gloves and black hat in hand; almost a vision of the great Baron Samedi himself. The music begins with solemn, tolling dirges, moves into hymns of sorrow, loss and redemption. When the burial site is reached, a two-note preparatory riff is sounded, and the drummers start the second-line beat, heralding the switch in music to joyous, upbeat songs, dancing, and the unfurling of richly decorated umbrellas by the ‘second line’ friends, family, loved ones and stray celebrants. Strutting, bouncing, and festive dance accompanies the upbeat ragtime music that sends the departed soul onto its next journey.
Didn’t he ramble
… he rambled
Rambled all around
… in and out of town
Didn’t he ramble
… didn’t he ramble
He rambled till the butcher cut him down.
His feet was in the market place
his head was in the street
Lady pass him by, said
look at the market meat
He grabbed her pocket book
and said I wish you well
She pulled out a forty-five
said I’m head of personnel.
Didn’t he ramble
… he rambled
Rambled all around
… in and out of town
Didn’t he ramble
… didn’t he ramble
He rambled till the butcher cut him down.
He slipped into the cat house
made love to the stable
Madam caught him cold
said I’ll pay you when I be able
Six months had passed
and she stood all she could stand
She said buddy when I’m through with you
Ole groundhog gonna be shakin yo’ hand.
Didn’t he ramble
… he rambled
Rambled all around
… in and out of town
Didn’t he ramble
… didn’t he ramble
He rambled till the butcher cut him down.
I said he rambled
lord
… ’till the butcher shot him down.
Bittersweet bay rum, bourbon, and a host of funeral flowers with a touch of graveyard dirt, magnolia and Spanish Moss.
kamiekirk –
This is such a great scent – I see why it’s a favorite. In the bottle, it’s a very clean scent – reminds me of lemon soap with green notes. It dries down to a sweet and pleasant clean scent that’s very unisex. It’s not overtly musky or spicy. If you match your fragrance to the season, this is definitely a spring scent. I love this on both my husband and I and this will probably be our first full size.
David –
Very clean fresh citrus scent, although on myself there’s not much staying power. Despite only lasting a couple hours for myself I’d recommend it.
Tiffany Castro –
In the Imp: Definitely lemon and something like new saddle leather? It’s a clean smell.
On the Skin: Freshly cut lemon. Very clean and pristine. Something green, that must be the aloe and green tea in there. The white musk then makes it appearance. This seems like a really nice summery scent. After an hour or so I barely smell it. :c I would still get a full bottle of this because its such a lovely scent. ?
peebuki –
right out of the bottle it reminds me of the free soap you’d get at a hotel. the green tea and aloe are very center, and the lemon almost seems more like a lime. probably the freshest scent ive ever experienced. seems very universal to me if you understand, could see anyone wearing this any time or place.
Destiny –
Very lovely. Very light. On me, I get more of the tea and musk notes with a hint of lemon. I could see myself wearing this in spring.
n33k5ed –
I picked up an imp ear of Embalming Fluid at the end of winter and by the time my next pay day rolled around I was set to buy a full size. I love citrus scents and this one is neither too heavy nor too light. Ive been using it almost daily and recently even mixed a little bit into a bath bomb I was making. Absolutely looking forward to snuggling with this perky scent.
sglonder –
I was really hoping the musk would round this scent out and make it a pleasant spring/summer scent (I’m used to wearing heavier scents, but wanted to change it up for the season). From wet to dry-down all I get is cleaner. It’s not chemically in a Lysol sort of way – maybe more like the Mrs. Meyers stuff -so I guess I smell clean at least and it lasts (citrus scents tend not to last so long on me), but it’s not exactly how I want to smell.
allycollett –
Embalming Fluid is such a light lovely scent. It almost reminds me of a sort of lemony cleaner but in a good way. It mainly smells of the lemon with a hint of the musk and green tea. However on the skin, it’s not very strong. It could also make a great room scent! Defiantly one I would recommend.
etarletons –
My favourite citrus scent; I’ll be getting a bottle when my imp runs out.
Megan –
Oh, Embalming Fluid, how I love thee. This is one of my favorite BPAL scents, next to Jabberwocky. You can really smell the green tea and the lemon. Its such a sharp, fresh scent that makes my nose oh-so-happy.
artimisia –
A perfect fresh, clean scent. On me the lemon was very strong, but the tea scent lingered underneath it, grounding it and giving it depth. On me, earthy scents tend to predominate, so I was afraid as the day wore on the tea would take over. But that didn’t happen. The two scents stayed balanced the entire time. It lasted all day without reapplication too. Definitely a keeper.
Jazmine –
This scent is AHMAZING! Like freshly brewed green tea with a bright citrus note. I could not stop smelling myself while wearing it! This is a fairly subtle scent, strong when first applied, but sticking close when it dries. But I appreciated the subtlety, and every time there was a small breeze I would catch a scent of it. One of my favorites, by far!
jessicamccullough98 –
I cannot stop smelling myself. This is by far my favorite scent, period. I usually go for darker scents but Embalming Fluid called out to me. I needed to take the chance. Obviously, it smells nothing like formaldehyde. On my skin, it smells just as it does in the imp, only slightly darker (which I love). It isn’t overly citrus-y, and the green tea definitely takes center stage. For some reason, I managed to unknowingly purchase the imp at the perfect time of the season. You would think it makes for a nice summer scent. But on me, it makes a perfect autumn scent. It reminds me of crisp fall air. The light rustle of crunchy dead leaves whirling in althe breeze. The scent is therapeutic for me. It’s uplifting and calming, which is the antithesis of citrus scents. Emablming Fluid won me over the moment it went on my skin.
Hellokoi –
Smells almost identical to the other green tea & lemon blend, Shanghai, though this has a hint of soft, smooth, powdery white musk to it. Reminds me of Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea perfume. Pleasant, clean, lemony green tea with some musk. It just doesn’t feel very unique or special to me.
Danielle –
After reading several reviews of this fragrance on the forum. I was worried that this beautiful citrus musk was going to be too fleeting for my tastes. I was wrong! Yes, the silage is low, but I’ve had embalming fluid on all day and I am still getting whiffs of. Thus, although it stays close, it does stay. Furthermore, it is a really pretty, refreshing citrusy musk. Yes, it has lemon and this comes out in the fragrance, but it does NOT smell like lemonade to me, it is too musky, floral for that. Neither does it smell like cleaning products (as avobath does to me). I can see how this is one of bpals most popular scents and I recommend giving it a go.
KeeleeHamomin –
This scent was given to me as a sample in my last order, and I am SO glad that it was! I would likely never have purchased it for myself, as it didn’t really strike my fancy. This scent is amazing, though.
In the bottle it’s very fruity but on my skin I can pick up the musk and aloe much more. Once dry it’s more musky with a hint of tea and lemon. It stays pretty strong throughout the day, and the imp has lasted me over a month. I will certainly be purchasing the full size bottle!
Gloame –
I think I like this better as a room spray. It goes very lemony on my skin. Would pair well with something with a little more presence.
Feminine, fruity, bright.
delirium23 –
I got this for {Insert Winter Holiday} and tried it out today. I am eagerly awaiting Spring to bring out this fresh and clean scent again.
Nuri –
Every BPALer has a scent they buy just for the name and one they avoid because they can’t get around the name. Embalming Fluid was one of the latter for me. I read the description but it seemed so disjointed from the feelings the name invoked. I’ve smelt Gore Shock and Ghulheim I know Beth can take her creativity to many places, some of them a little spooky. It took me a year to finally get a bottle and I’m so glad I did. Its lovely, crisp, green, a little sharp, but its all spring time and sophistication. A sure repurchase of this one.
Velvet Lilly –
This is Fresh, and Clean, and Light……but it’s also surprisingly sophisticated, luxe, and chic.
Gorgeous for a man or woman. I love how playful and light this is, but at the same time, equally at home around the jet set. I’d wear this to the beach or to tea at the Peninsula. (or for a man, drinks at the Polo Lounge) It’s just that good.