Hrodebert Kasperl Grau’s “Verlorene Seele” (The Lost Souls) is a German children's novel originally published in 1806, based on the infamous 1715 carnival disaster. Reprinted under the title “Carnevil of Souls” this dark wonderful tale chronicles the adventures of 15 young children swept away from their circus by a storm. The book is rarely known in American literature but became known as the fable that originated the children’s song “Row Row Row your Boat” and has been widely translated around the world.
Mr. Floats is perhaps New Orleans’ oldest and most enigmatic resident, having immigrated to the city in 1718 after a lengthy career with the notorious CarnEvil of Souls in Europe. Often whispered about in ancient folklore, Mr. Floats is credited as the original creator of the haunting children’s rhyme “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” a song that many believe carries a sinister meaning. His presence has long been tied to Haitian Vodou culture, where stories of a tall, eerie clown who preys on the spirits of children spread among Louisianan and Haitian immigrants. His legend continues to echo in the city’s dark corners. Now residing beneath the streets of the French Quarter, his influence is steeped in the city’s fabric, commanding the adoration of his loving followers. Known for feeding on fear and the spirits of the young, Mr. Floats is a legend intertwined with the rich supernatural history of the Crescent City.
