MARDI GRAS INDIAN SONGS & CHANTS

MARDI GRAS INDIAN SONGS & CHANTS

This Cocojams page contains lyrics to & commentary about a selected number of Mardi Gras Indian songs & chants.

The purpose of this page is to help document, preserve, and share song lyrics from & information about the unique & creative African American cultural traditions of Mardi Gras Indians (Black Indians).

This page is not meant to be a comprehensive listing or study of New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian songs.

All quotes from books or websites and all videos that are showcased on this page are presented for their sociological, folkloric, historical, aesthetic, and entertainment value. .

Videos Sources

All of the videos on this page are from http://www.youtube.com/

Please note that links to YouTube videos or to other online resources may not remain viable. Also, please be aware that comments posted on YouTube viewer comments threads may not be suitable for children or otherwise may not meet the standards of Cocojams.com

Presentation of Videos

Videos are posted in alphabetical order under the heading of the name of the dance, dance category, dance move, video title, or ethnic group/nation from which the dance was first found. With the exception of the United States, the names of the nation from which the dance is found is given in parenthesis.

Most of these videos are presented with little or no comment or analysis. Hyperlinks may be provided for additional video examples, information, and/or comments, Cocojams.com is not responsible for the content or availability of websites other than Cocojams pages and its sister website http://www.jambalayah.com

General Information About New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians

Here's an excerpt from "A Short History Of Mardi Gras Indians" by Willie W. Clark Jr. (11-16-1999) http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Sec_mgind/history.htm :

"The Black Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans are a unique sub-culture of a highly diverse and complex group of the local population . The tradition of these masking Indians, dates back to the 1700's. The scholars that claim to know the origins of the Mardi Gras Indians (a two hundred year old tradition) sometimes conflict on the precise history. As a result of this lack of a solid path in the knowledge of Indian history, many theories abound, but this much is for certain, the Indians have preserved some of their culture and history in the guise of tradition, and that tradition at the time of Mardi Gras, is now an integral part of New Orleans. In the heart of New Orleans since the 1780's and perhaps earlier, this ancient colorful and artistic culture has been practiced. A culture, that be it known, exhibits all of that tradition, with some of the positive heritage, and is quite a unique history."...

-snip-

Here is a brief excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi_Gras_Indians :

"Mardi Gras Indians are African-American Carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial apparel.

Collectively, their organizations are called "tribes" , Mardi Gras Indian tribes also parade on the Sunday nearest to Saint Joseph's Day on March 19th ("Super Sunday") and sometimes also at the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

There are about 38 tribes. They range in size from a half dozen to several dozen members. The tribes are largely independent, but a pair of umbrella organizations loosely coordinate the Uptown Indians and the Downtown Indians".

-snip-

A very good online source for information about the recorded history of the songs/chants of Mardi Gras Indians is http://tlmorgan.com/next/indian.html. Here's an excerpt from that article:

..."There are some specific examples in the 20th Century where the titles of the Indian songs inspired New Orleans music and later on more clear examples where their music and lyrics were obvious inspirations. The Creole patois found in the lyrics is rooted in oral tradition and is accompanied by percussion instruments. Most songs are chanted and make liberal use of the call and response tradition. The main song sung normally at the beginning and at the ending of Indian gatherings is "Indian Red," also known as the "Indian prayer." Other titles include "Shallow Water," "Handa Wanda," "Two-Way-Pocky-Way," as well as song reworked from their traditional roots such as "Shoo Fly" and "Little Liza Jane." New songs are added occasionally and older ones reworked to meet the situation"....

-snip-

Here is a link to a diary from a political blog which includes photos of Mardi Gras Indians and describes the specific roles such as "the Big Chief", "Flag Boy" and "Spy Boy" that are found in Mardi Gras Indian nations:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/7/20/884401/-Treme-TuesdaySpy...Flag....
Treme Tuesday - "Spy...Flag...Big Chief"
YatPundit; Tue Jul 20, 2010 at 12:52:52 PM PDT

-snip-
Here are three other online resources for New Orleans music-including Mardi Gras Indian songs:

http://www.wildmagnolias.net/

and

http://homeofthegroove.blogspot.com/2010/02/mardi-gras-indian-variations...

and

"Indian Rulers: Mardi Gras Indians and New Orleans Funk by Evan Christopher http://specialcollections.tulane.edu/Jazz/pdf/Jazz_Archivist_vol16_2002.pdf

****
Special thanks to all the sources featured on this page!

****
Disclaimer:
By no means do I consider myself an authority on Mardi Gras Indian culture. I have never seen Mardi Gras Indians perform in person, and I had not even heard of this type of music until I happened upon a CD in a used record store about ten years ago. That CD shown here http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Tchoupitoulas/dp/B000003QKN caught my attention because of its drawings of Black people wearing colorful feathered costumes. Needless to say, I bought that CD, and have bought others since then.

If I had to describe myself, I would say that I am an African American community folklorist who is most interested in African American children's rrhymes & cheers, One of the things that first attracted me to Mardi Gras Indian music was the similarities in call & response structure and the confrontative spirit that I noted in Mardi Gras Indian songs and in certain African American children's foot stomping cheers. Examples of those cheers- including one called "Two Way Pass Away" whose title I believe has its source in the Mardi Gras Indian chant "Tuway Packaway"- can be found at http://www.cocojams.com/content/foot-stomping-cheers-0

General Statement About The Lyrics In New Orleans Mardi Gras Songs

Here's a revision to comments that I wrote on March 20, 2010 to the viewer comment thread of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj6-irrsnsw. (The Origin of "Iko Iko"). This statement reflects my position about the lyrics to all Mardi Gras Indian songs as well as to all other examples of folk songs, chants, playground rhymes, game songs, and cheers,

"I know that it's unlikely to find versions of "Iko Iko" known to people before or at the time that Sugar Boy Crawford recorded his version of that song. But the words to folk songs aren't fixed, and at its heart "Iko Iko" is a folk song. Not only do the words of folk songs change, but the meanings of the words change. And that's often a natural process.

While it's important & commendable to attempt to discover, document, study, and share the earliest known version of a folk song, chant, or rhyme it would be wrong to think that the lyrics to subsequent versions of that song are necessarily "wrong". Furthermore, I believe it's both incorrect and foolish to insist that a word or phrase of a folk song must retain its "original" meaning. Folk songs are supposed to be alive. It's part of the natural order of things for the meanings of words to change over time. Also words & phrases can have different meanings within different populations at the same time. I'm interested in tracking down the earliest versions that might be found of certain folk songs. I'm also interested in documenting multiple versions of specific folk songs- not the right version of that song. I don't believe that there is a right version of a folk song or a folk rhyme, or a folk chant, Rather than talk about the "right version", I'd rather talk about which is the earliest documented version, and which version or versions have become the most widely known to the public because of recordings, books, or other forms of mass media, and which variants have been found and when and where and among which populations.

Much Respect!
-Ms. Azizi Powell :

I would like to ammend that statement to indicate that while I believe that it's natural for there to be multiple versions of folk songs, some versions may indeed be less correct than others, with "correctness" here meaning the way/s that specific populations from which the song came sing it now or used to sing it.

It's my hope that visitors to this website who are familiar with these songs will share their opinions about the lyrics to songs that are posted here, will also send in other verses to the songs that are posted, and will also send in lyrics to songs that have not yet been posted.

As a further disclaimer, I can not stipulate with absolute certainity that the lyrics that I retrieved from other websites are those that any Mardi Gras Indians sing now or have sung in the past.

Acknowledgements & Thanks

Thanks to all those who uploaded videos that are featured on this page. Also thanks to those commenters to those videos whose comments are quoted on this page and those persons who have shared lyrics of & comments about Mardi Gras Indian songs with Cocojams.com or elsewhere online.

Contact Information

Please send any corrections, additions, or other comments about the quotes from these resources to cocojams17@yahoo.com

Also send any links to videos of traditional African dances or dance forms for possible posting on this page. Thanks!

Your email address is never posted or shared.

Or, if you are on facebook, visit me at cocojams jambalayah, and befriend me or send me a private message.

Thanks to all those who send in links to videos & information!

Related Cocojams Pages

Visit these related Cocojams.com pages:

http://www.cocojams.com/content/new-orleans-social-aid-pleasure-club-par...

****
Ms. Azizi Powell,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Latest revision - May 2, 2012

LYRICS TO VARIOUS MARDI GRAS INDIAN SONGS & CHANTS

A,B
ALL ON A MARDI GRAS DAY

Editor: These lyrics are reposted from World Class New Orleans. The introduction to that website indicates that
"This is dedicated to the resurrection of New Orleans, Louisiana. Our rich culture, care for one another, and roll-up-our-sleeves tenacity will lead New Orleans into a new golden era. "...everyone who knows New Orleans loves it because it is the most down-to-earth, real place in the country. There is no poser action in this city. It is the real deal--what you see is what you get." Humid Haney

This specific blog post, titled, "Some Lyrics" and dated February 20, 2007 is prefaced by these comments:

"Every Christmas and every Carnival, I seem to seize on one or two songs that are my favorites. For this Carnival season, for me, it's Paul Simon's "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" and Dr. John's (by way of Kermit Ruffins) "All on a Mardi Gras Day." (Past faves include "If Ever I Cease to Love" and "Carnival Time" and "Mardi Gras Mambo."/
-snip-

The lyrics to those songs follow including this one:

ALL ON A MARDI GRAS DAY

The big bass drum lead the big parade, all on a Mardi Gras Day
The big bass drum lead the big parade, all on a Mardi Gras Day
The big bass drum lead the big parade, all on a Mardi Gras Day

All you could hear, the people say was Oh Bah Lea.

The Trombone was playing the tailgate song, all on a Mardi Gras Day
The Trombone was playing the tailgate song, all on a Mardi Gras Day
The Trombone was playing the tailgate song, all on a Mardi Gras Day

And all you could hear, all night and all day was Oh Bah Lea.

The Bugle player came down playing a bugle call, all on a Mardi Gras Day
Bugle player's head was full of with alcohol, all on a Mardi Gras Day
The Bugle player came down playing a bugle call, all on a Mardi Gras Day

And all you could hear, all night and all day was Oh Bah Lea.

The world passed by just south of St. Andrews Street, all on a Mardi Gras Day
From Tchoupitoulsas down to Magnolia Street, all on a Mardi Gras Day
I spied some Injuns and they spied me, all on a Mardi Gras Day

And all you could hear, all night and all day was Oh Bah Lea.

Black Eagle band singin' Fee-Nah-Nay, all on a Mardi Gras Day
Eh, La Bas, Come Si, Come Sa, all on a Mardi Gras Day
I spied some Injuns and they spied me, all on a Mardi Gras Day

All you could hear, the people say was Oh Bah Lea.

Posted by Mr. Clio at 12:07 AM; http://worldclassneworleans.blogspot.com/2007/02/some-lyrics.html ; retrieved September 26, 2010

Editor: This may be a Mardi Gras song that mentions Mardi Gras Indians, and not a Mardi Gras Indian song. In contrast, read the words to "All On That Mardi Gras Day" below.

****
ALL ON THAT MARDI GRAS DAY

Editor:
A YouTube "video" (actually a sound clip) of The Wild Magnolias recording "All On That Mard Gras Day" is found below. The video uploader gave this video the title "All On A Mardi Gras Day". However, in that sound clip the refrain that the men are singing is clearly "All on That Mardi Gras Day". Lyrics to a song "All On A Mardi Gras Day" reposted above are definitely not the same song as the one in The Wiid Magnolia video. I've attempted to transcribe that song, and was only partially successful. A question mark in brackets following a word or words indicates my uncertainity about what that word or words is/are. Lines that I'm unsure about are indicated by a series of questions marks. I sincerely hope that those who are familiar with this song will correct this attempted transcription by sending the lyrics to cocojams17@yahoo.com. Until then, this transcription serves as a "place holder."

ALL ON THAT MARDI GRAS DAY
Soloist:: Getche [?] big bass drum Let the second line
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day

Soloist:: Getche [?] big bass drum Let the second line
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day

Soloist: Well The Wild Magnolias at 2nd & Vine.
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day
Soloist: And all you could hear is the people say
One person- Om! Bah Wey Tu way Packaway:

Soloist: ??????
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day
Soloist: I wear ny feathers anywhere I go
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day

Soloist: ?? play that wah wah funk [?]
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day
? kneeled down cause he was drunk.
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day

[Instrumental]
One person-Om! Bah Wey Tu Way Packaway

Soloist: ? was the Zulu King
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day
Soloist: The Wild Magnolias did their thing.
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day

Soloist: Brother Tume [?] paved the way [?]
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day
Soloist: Hoh Nah Nae Jaco Feena Nae
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day

Soloist: ??????
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day
Hey la fah Come See Come Sah
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day

Soloist: All on that Mardi Gras All on that Mardi Gras
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day
Soloist: All on that Mardi Gras All on that Mardi Gras
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day
Soloist: All on that Mardi Gras All on that Mardi Gras
Group: All on that Mardi Gras Day
-partial transcription, Azizi Powell, 9/26/2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw4gy-nLRCQ&feature=related

Here's that video:

The Wild Magnolias - All On A Mardi Gras Day [All On That Mardi Gras Day]
9thWardJukebox | October 18, 2009

****
BIG CHIEF
Here's a video of this "standard" Mardi Gras Indian song, presented without any attempt to transcribe its words.

Posted by gugugumbo
January 31, 2007

"Dr.John , Professor Longhair , Earl King , The Meters" perform "Big Chief"

**

Here's a link to a video of "Big Chief" performed by the Neville Brothers (embedding disallowed) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5nNJWMw19k&feature=related

****
BIG CHIEF GOT A GOLDEN CROWN

Editor: This video is re-posted without a transcription

Posted by boliverful1
October 16, 2009

Video Summary:
"One of my all time favorite albums, the Wild Tchoupitoulas was founded by George Landry aka Big Chief Jolly. Released in 1976, it was also the start of the formation of Landry's nephews, the Neville Brothers, Art, Charles, Aaron & Cyril, respectively. The instrumentation was provided mainly by the Meters, Art & Cyril Neville, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr., & Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste. The album was also produced in large part by Allen Toussaint. This is an essential part of the rich musical New Orleans heritage, and I ask if you enjoy this music, pick up the album & pass the word to keep this joyful music alive."

****
BROTHER JOHN (Also known as BROTHER JOHN IS GONE)
Well I remember that morning I remember it well (Brother John is gone)
I remember the morning that Brother John fell
He was a mighty man with a heart of steel
And he never would bow and he never would kneel

I'm gonna talk about my Brother John (Brother)
My Brother (Brother)
Brother John is gone
I say my Brother John (brother)
Brother John (Brother)
Brother John is gone.

Oh, Cora he died on the battlefield (Brother John is gone)
And the rest of his gang they won't bow they won't kneel
He sang "Mighty goody fiyo on Mardi Gras Day"
And whoever wasn't ready better get out of 'de way.

I'm gonna talk about my Brother John (Brother)
My Brother (Brother)
Brother John is gone
I say my Brother John (brother)
Brother John (Brother)
Brother John is gone.

He was a mighty brave when he sang his song (Brother John is gone)
And the rest of his gang they still carry on
He sang "Jockomo fina fina nay"
And he always sang like it's Mardi Gras day.

I'm gonna talk about my Brother John (Brother)
My Brother (Brother)
Brother John is gone
I say my Brother John (brother)
Brother John (Brother)
Brother John is gone.

Source-transcription "from archives" by Mike Neer
(08-06-2005) http://www.guitarseminars.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/010416.html

-snip-
Here's a video of The Neville Brothers performing Brother John and Iko Iko:

scofak
November 02, 2008
**
A number of commenters to that video's comment thread thought that "Brother John" referred to John Lennon, a member of the legendary British Pop group "The Beatles". However, here's information about the identity of Brother John from
http://www.pattersonandassociates.com/bios/The_Neville_Brothers/
"Cyril [Neville' wrote Brother John based on stories about the 1972 stabbing of John "Scarface" Williams, once a vocalist for Huey "Piano" Smith in the 50’s, and a Mardi Gras Indian in the 60’s…"

C,D
COREY DIED ON THE BATTLEFIELD
"Corey Died On The Battlefield" is a song track from 1975 Wild Magnolia's album "They Call Us Wild" and it's also on that group's 2007 CD.

I have not been able to find any lyrics to "Corey Died On The Battlefield" online There are several websites where you can hear (and purchase) this song. One of them is http://www.lala.com/#song/1657606155180734426

Evan Christopher, author of "Indian Rulers: Mardi Gras Indians and New Orleans Funk" http://specialcollections.tulane.edu/Jazz/pdf/Jazz_Archivist_vol16_2002.pdf indicates that when ithis song was first recorded in the late 1940s, it was titled "Corrine Died On The Battlefield", but the song is reported to have been composed much earlier than that and had been passed down generation upon generation. Paul Longre of the Golden Blades Mardi Gras Indian tribe said that the song referred to a woman Cora Anne. who masked as a Queen for the Battlefield Hunters and was killed in a crossfire with the Wild Squatoolas. More details about the recording history of this song can be found on are found on pages 14/15 of that pdf file.

E,F

G,H
HANDA WANDA (Part 2)
alternate lyrics to Handa Wanda Part 1
*note

(fades in)

Irai bas q'ou-q'ou-wais
(Hando-wando, Mardi Gras)
Q'ou wais, we ready, ya'll be right
(Hando-wando, Mardi Gras)
We're prettiest in the City on the Mardi Gras
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Say, qu t'faire hando, ma-hoo-d'an-ae
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Well, tell me boy what the Injun's say?
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)

Hey, a little bitty boy an a little bitty girl
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
On Mardi Gras mornin' they won't go wrong
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Hey, come here boy, won't you stand by me?
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
I'm a pretty Big Chief you ever did see
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Hey, I gotta wanda-han-d'an-d'ae
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)

Said ring them drums on Mardi Gras day!
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
On Mardi Gras morn, it won't be long
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Let um Injuns Rulers gonna sing their song
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Go run get ya mama, papa, too
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Hey, little bitty boy got Injun blues
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)

Them all be runnin', right 'chere in town
(Handa, wando, Mardi Gras)
Hey boy, that mornin' we gonna prowl
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
T'ou ten dais bas q'ou
Hoo-irai, mou-mou
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Real Injuns Rulers of Mardi Gras
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)

Don't deny my name, I got my gang
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Don't deny my name, I got my fame
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Now, hey mou-mou, gon' hey ma-lo
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Tell you was a little boy
And he wear a bow
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)

Hey, ha-d'an-a-wanda-h'an dan-da-l'ae
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Gon' tell my boy just what you say
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Be the prettiest little City
Our whole gang reign
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
On Mardi Gras mornin'
Don't deny my name
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)

Said, Golden Arrow, Creole Wild West
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Hey, White Eagles gang
Boy, they say are best
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Hey, the Wild Magnolias, in might come
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
When you lead me, boy I'll make them run
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Hey, boy I'm ready, ya'll I'm right
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
I'm a Wild Magnolia on a Mardi Gras
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)

Say, Rex is your Ruler Mardi Gras Day
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
But I'm an Injun Ruler make kill-a ways
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Yeah, an-d'an roller, y'an-n'an-n'ae
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Hey, boy is ya ready for the Mardi Gras Day?
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)

Don't deny your name
You've got your gang
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Don't deny your name
You got your fame
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
You're an Indian Ruler, don't give a damn!
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Hey, hag-wa-Melinda, ha-boppa-r'ae
(Handa-wando, Mardi Gras)
Will, you tell me now what the Injun's say?
'Handa-wanda, Mardi Gras'

FADES-
Yeah, han-d'an-a-wanda-han-d'an-d'ae
(Hando-wando, Mardi Gras).

~

*note of info - a few words/phrases such as
'Tou-wais, bas q'ou wais' (aka) 'Two Way Pak E Way'
and lines, Qu ten dais, (also Al la caille yo ko
and al la wille wai) were trnscrb by H. Wood
1973 as the Creole spelling for a rep. ad lib
on Jelly Roll Morton's 'Indian Song'.
- Handa Wanda Part 2 by Wild Magnolias Lyrics http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:sOPy0sgo6mwJ:www.ly... ; originally posted & updated November 10, 2005 ,retrieved September 26, 2010 [links to Handa Wanda, part 1 and other Wild Magnolia song lyrics no longer active]

Here's one of several YouTube videos of Handa Wanda, presented without transcription:

Bo Dollis And The Wild Magnolia Mardi Gras Indian Band - "Handa Wanda"
fabioLNDT | May 05, 2010

-snip-

Here's an excerpt from http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Media/Radio/Big_Chief.htm
"Big Chief Theodore Emile "Bo" Dollis was born in New Orleans in 1944. As a child he followed a tribe known as the White Eagles, and he began "masking" as a Mardi Gras "Indian" in 1957 as a member of the Golden Arrows. In 1964 Dollis became the Big Chief of the Wild Magnolias. In 1970 the Wild Magnolias recorded a single entitled Handa Wanda for the Crescent City label; nearly 30 years later Handa Wanda remains a local favorite and a perennial Mardi Gras classic. Two albums were produced in the mid-'70s, The Wild Magnolias and They Call Us Wild, on Rounder Records. Life is a Carnival marked their debut on the Metro Blue label. "

****
HEY POCKY WAY

Editor: Videos of this song are posted without transcriptions.

The Meters - "Hey Pocky A-Way"

Posted by TurriFunky
September 27, 2009

**
Here's another short video of a group of Mardi Gras Indians performing this chant:

Posted by skooks
February 07, 2008

"Indians chanting on Washington Ave Mardi Gras morning 2008".

-snip-

Also see the entries for Tu Way Packa Way below.

****
HO NA NAE (Also given as "Oo Na Nae")
[pronounced Hoo nah nay]

This video is embedded without transcription, in the hope that someone familiar with this song will send in the words to Cocojams:

elTheSpaceways | January 23, 2010
The Wild Magnolias They Call Us Wild LP [1975] Polygram
The Wild Magnolias - Ho Na Nae

****
Here's a short video that. among among other songs, calls, and comments from Mardi Gras Indians, includes a portion of "Ho Na Nae" [at 1:19 ]. This video is presented without transcription, in the hope that someone familiar with it sends in the lyrics to cocojams17@yahoo.com for posting on this page:

tpphotos | February 05, 2008
Mardi Gras Indians parade in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day, February 5, 2008.

I,J
IKO IKO (Version #1)

Lyrics to "Iko Iko" as sung by The Dixie Cups from http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Media/Radio/Iko_Iko.htm

- drumstick solo - drumstick solo -

My grandma and your grandma, were sittin by the fire,
My grandma told your grandma, I'm going to set your flag on fire,

chorus -

Takin bout hey now, hey now
Iko! Iko! an de'
Jackomo fe no nan e' , Jackomo fe nan e'

Look at my King all dressed in red
Iko! Iko! an de'
I bet you 5 dollars, he kill you dead!
Jackomo fe nan e'

Takin bout ..... hey now, hey now
Iko! Iko! an de'
Jackomo fe no an e' , Jackomo fe nan e'

My flagboy and your flagboy, sittin by the fire,
My flagboy told your flagboy, I'm going to set your flag on fire,
Takin bout ..... hey now, hey now

Iko! Iko! an de'
Jackomo fe no an e' , Jackomo fe nan e'

See that guy all dressed in green, Iko! Iko! an de'
He's not a man, he's a lovin machine!
Jackomo fe nan e'

Takin bout hey now, hey now
Iko! Iko! an de'
Jackomo fe no nane' , Jackomo fe nan e'

- instrumental solo -

Takin bout hey now, hey now
Iko! Iko! an de'
Jackomo fe no ane' , Jackomo fe nan e'

fade........

-snip-

Here's a rare video of The Dixie Cups performing this song:

Dixie Cups - Iko Iko (Rare clip)

Uploaded by SixtiesPopGold1 on Jul 19, 2010

****

Here's another video of The Dixie Cups performing "Iko Iko" on "The Oldies Show":

Ppsted byJohn1948FourA
March 19, 2010

Editor: There are many different versions of the "Iko Iko" song. Most sources indicate that
this song is based on two Mardi Gras Indian chants "Iko Ijo" and "Jocomo Fee No An Dan Day",

Click http://www.cocojams.com/content/text-analysis-iko-iko to visit Cocojams's Text Analysis page for "Iko Iko

****
IKO IKO (Version #2)
Hey , mister see the sister
Don't you let them feel you
Sticks and stones may break your bones
But now her looks could kill you
Hey , come away
Souca souca na na
Come on , come on , miss
allez , allez ,
With a souca souca mama
Oh , hey , come away
Souca souca na na
Come on , come on , miss
allze , allez .
With a souca souca maman
On , hey , come away
Souca souca na na
Come on , come on , miss
allze , allze
With a souca souca mama
Come on , come on miss ,
allze , allze
With a souca souca mama.

-http://www.lyricskeeper.com/zap_mama-lyrics/227758-iko_iko-lyrics.htm (version of the lyrics to Zap Mama's Iko Iko (from the album Mission Impossible 2)

Here's a YouTube video of Zap Mama's version of "Iko Iko".

Zap Mama Iko-Iko(Suca Mama)

Posted by annathebest94
August 10, 2008

-snip-

IKO IKO (Version #3)
Iko Iko
(Voice): "Erurunti sacamona!"

(Group):
Hey now!
Hey now!
Hey now! (x2)

Hey mister, see that sister
Don't you let her thrill you.
Sticks and stones may break your bones,
But man, her looks could kill you.

ho, ho

Hey, come my way
Azucar* azucar mama
Come a come a nay sa le a le
With a azucar azucar mama

(Group):
Hey now!
Hey now!
Hey now! (x2)

Hey brother, there's another
Azucar mama turnin'
The sun will rise and blind your eyes
The fire keeps on burnin'

ho, ho

(Chorus):
Hey, (hey now) come my way
Azucar azucar mama
Come a come a nay sa le a le
With a azucar azucar mama

(Chorus repeat)

(Group):
Hey now!
Hey now!
Hey now! (x2)

Hey, hey now, come on play now
Buy me 'smile' that's packin'
Better get it while you can
While the azucar mama's shakin'

ho, ho

(Chorus X 2)

(Group):
Hey now!
Hey now!
Hey now! (x2)

(mouth voices and shouting/longing)

(Group):
Hey now!
Hey now!
Hey now!
Hey now!
Hey now!

If your baby, makes you crazy
Don't know where she's goin'
Eyes so messed up that they look
Which way the wind is blowin'

ho, ho

(Chorus X 2)

Azucar, oh me!

Azucar, oh me! Azucar, oh my!
Azucar oh my! Come my way! (x4)

(Chorus X 2)
-http://www.morgud.com/stela5/lyrics/fd4t5.asp (version of that Zap Mama song)

****
IKO IKO (Version #4)
"...Bravo to the Dixie Cups, who learned it from tradition, for smacking the country in the eye with New Orleans' best song.

"Iko Iko" has many more verses than the Dixies used, in fact it picks up verses from everywhere, such as the "Uncle John" portmanteau song. Here are some of the verse I sing, together with a few others I haven't resolved. My main source was a great record of New Orleans piano done years ago by Dr. John, but as you'll see I've picked up a number of verses from other sources as well.

By the way, a "Jockamo" = a jester, jokester.

First is a variant of the "flag" (correct, refers to marchers' roles and competitive practices) verse:

My ma reine to your ma reine [my queen]
Sittin' by the fire
Says my ma reine to your ma reine,
I'm gonna set your flag on fire.

A variant has "set yo' JAIL on fire" - sounds like Prisoner's Base, doesn't it.
Here's one I can't get some key words to -- help anyone?

We gone down to {? sounds like "Old a Shone"??}
Iko ...
We don't care till [?? sounds like "whole sa morn'n"??}
Iko...

Se ma reine down the railroad track...
She put it in a chicken shack...

My li'l boy to your li'l girl,
Get your head on higher,
My li'l girl to your li'l boy,
We gonna get yo' chicken wire [pron. wyo']

If you don't like w'at the doctor say
Iko ...

You come on down to Becca Town
Iko...
We gone talk about you messin' aroun'
Iko...

[Ain't no use you say what t'do??]
Iko ...
'Cause we ain't gone do what you tell us to
Iko ...

Me big chief, me [remainder not understood] [?? ... town???]
Iko ...
Well, ben' the knee when I walk around,
Iko ...

My ma reine all dress in red,
Iko ...
Injun feather all in e head,
Iko ...

I remember this mornin' I remember it well,
Iko ...
I 'member the day when Uncle John fell,
Iko ...

[end of lyrics]

-excerpt of a post by GUEST,Bob Coltman, originally posted in
Mudcat Discussion Forum thread RE: Cajun Music, 17 Jan 06
reposted on 17 Jan 06 by Azizi Powell in http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=88125

-snip-

Editor: Here's information that I received from Chadwick Crawford on 2/18/2012

"Also, where you have "Becca town," you should have "Back o' Town." This refers to what was once know as Black Storyville, immortalized by Satchmo in "Back o' Town Blues."

http://nutrias.org/exhibits/music6.htm

-snip-

Chadwick also noted that he thought that the line "My ma reine said to your ma reine." should read "My marraine...", "marraine" being the French for godmother

Thanks, Chadwick!

**

Click http://www.cocojams.com/content/text-analysis-iko-iko to visit another Cocojams.com page that includes information about & analysis of "Iko Iko"

****
I'M 52 INCHES ACROSS MY CHEST
I'm 52 inches across my chest
And I don't bow to nothin'
'Cept God and death
-- from a battle chant by Larry Bannock
Source: http://www.pulitzer.org/year/1996/feature-writing/works/mardigras.html

Editor:
This song excerpt and another posted below were included in the Pulitzer prize winning article {featured writing} by Rick Bragg: "Another Battle of New Orleans: Mardi Gras New Orleans", Feb. 18, 1996 {New York Times}

****
INDIAN RED (Version #1)
Soloist- Mighty cooty fiyo
All -Indian red
Indian red
Here comes my spy boy
Spy boy
Spy boy
Spy boy from the nation
The whole wild creation
Soloist-He won’t bow down
Back up singers:(He won’t bow down)
Soloist: He won’t bow down
Backup singers: He won’t bow down
Soloist: Down on that ground
Soloist: Down on that ground)
All: You know I love to hear you call
My Indian Red

[Other verses]:
Here comes my flag boy

Here come my big queen

Here comes my big chief
-transcription by Azizi Powell of the song performed by Laura Vecchione and two other female singers; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3kND4HcyXc
See that video below:

Indian Red / Fly Home Flagboy
lauravecch; September 29, 2007

"Laura Vecchione live at the Paradise Lounge Boston, MA July 21, 2007 Indian Red and Fly Home Flagboy are songs for New Orleans. lauravecch | September 29, 2007

"Indian Red" and "Fly Home Flagboy" are songs for New Orleans. "Indian Red" is a sacred song of the Mardi Gras Indian Culture of New Orleans. I heard this beautiful version sung by Cara Harrison on New Way Pockey Way. It inspired me to write "Fly Home Flag Boy." ...

****
INDIAN RED (Version #2)
Mighty cooty fiyo - hey la hey, hey la hey

I've got a Big Chief, Big Chief, Big Chief of the Nation
Wild, wild creation

He won't bow down, down on the ground
Oh how I love to hear him call Indian Red

When I throw my net in the river
I will take only what I need
Just enough for me and my lover
I will take only what I need

Sing:

Mighty cooty fiyo - hey la hey, hey la hey
Mighty cooty fiyo - hey la hey, hey la hey

Mighty cooty fiyo - hey la hey, hey la hey
Mighty cooty fiyo - hey la hey, hey la hey
-http://www.lyricsmania.com/indian_red_lyrics_daniel_lanois.html

****
INDIAN RED (version #3)

Also see this rendition by Mardi Gras Indians (with only minimum transcription)

Note the close similarly to version #1 as given above. These singers sing a verse highlighting a person who holds an office in the tribe (spyboy, queen, chief) and sing the chorus in between those verses. However, these singers start the song by saying
"We are the Injuns
Injuns
Injuns from the nation
The whole wide creation."

And those singers say "We won't bow down/on that dirty ground" and not "We won't bow down, down on that ground".

**
The songs "Tuway Packaway" and "Indian Red" are featured in this video clip from the HBO series "Treme":

mentalcut | May 01, 2010
From HBO Treme's 3rd episode

****
INJUNS, HERE WE COME

Editor: I consider "Injuns, Here We Come" to be a wonderful example of the braggadocio, and determination of Mardi Gras Indians who knew that they were going to have fun, but also knew that they might face dangers from other tribes on Mardi Gras day. Unfortunately, I have not yet found any lyrics to this song online. And unfortunately, I don't know any Mardi Gras Indians or any persons who knows any members of these nations. I'm posting this transcription in the hope that someone will send in corrections to cocojams17@yahoo.com. I also posted a comment on this video's viewer comment page (as I have with other videos) asking for lyrics to this song. Please help correct & complete these lyrics by sending in the words to this song for posting on Cocojams. Thanks!

INJUNS HERE WE COME
Group: Injuns, here we come (4x)
[Instrumental]
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Oh, injuns, here they come
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: They be comin down on Mardi Gras morn
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Singin Jockee ma fida [??] everywhere they run
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Yeah, I told my mama 'fore I left home
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: l'm a man that mornin that I'm comin home
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: She said "Son don't you worry, don't you run [?]
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Said you the Big Chief on Mardi Gras
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: So now here we come, here we come
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: So here they come, there they run
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloisti They be runnin down on Mardi Gras
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: So Jockee ma fida [??] now what I said
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well the Injuns holla now no nowhere [???]
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well you pay [?] no say no tell no lie
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: So you wanna have fun on Mardi Gras
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well come to New Orleans on Mardi Gras day
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: And ask everybody where the Injuns stay
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well a second hand line [?] ain't never been born
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Come to Mardi Gras, y'll where the Injuns are [?]
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well now here they come, here they run
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well here they come, there they run
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: They be runnin wild on Madri Gras
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Said Jockee my feathers so hold in the ground [?]
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: My Spy Boy said we goin down
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Said I'm goin down, downtown
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Said I'm goin down, downtown
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: On Mardi Gras mornin gonna have my fun
Soloist: Oh here I come, there they run
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well they runnin wild on Mardi Gras
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: So don't hurt my flag, don't hurt my Spy
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Don't borrow [?] no trouble on Mardi Gras
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: If trouble come, now nobody run
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well I'm Jockee my feathers [?] with a Gatlin gun
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well you pay [?] no say no tell no lie
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Don't bother my Queen on Mardi Gras
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Say Mardi Gras y'll ???
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: I don't mind dyin on Mardi Gras
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well now let us come, let us come
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Let us come, let us come
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: We'll be comin that mornin on Mardi Gras
[Instrumental']
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well jockee [?] my feathers with a needle and thread
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: On Mardi Gras mornin it won't be long
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: That we all get together We all have fun
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well jockee [?] my feathers with a needle and thread
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well I'm goin down, downtown
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well I'm goin down, downtown
Group: Injuns, here we come
Soloist: Well I'm goin down on Mardi Gras
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81fLldnZa_8 ; The Wild Magnolias' "Injuns Here We Come"; transcription Azizi Powell; September 26, 2010

Here's that You Tube "video" sound clip:

puchersoul | March 11, 2009

K,L
LITTLE LIZA JANE
Chorus [sing two times]
Ooh* Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.
Ooh Lil Liza
Little Eliza Jane.

Tell you somethin that you don't know.
Lil Liza Jane
If you wanna be an Injun betta learn to sew.
Lil Liza Jane

They runnin and jumpin. They think they slick.
Lil Liza Jane
But we be the gang that makes them sick.
Lil Liza Jane

Chorus:
In the mornin
Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.
In the evenin
Ooh Lil Liza
Little Eliza Jane.
[sing entire chorus two times]

Told my papa when I left home.
Lil Liza Jane
I'mma mass**in the mornin and I won't go wrong.
Lil Liza Jane

He said if you meet the boys better treat them right.
Lil Liza Jane
They may got the gun but we got the knive.
Lil Liza Jane

Chorus:
In the mornin
Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.
In the evenin
Ooh Lil Liza
Little Eliza Jane.
[sing entire chorus two times]

Early in the mornin when the sun comes up.
Lil Liza Jane
Said drink the fire water from the silver cup.
Lil Liza Jane

Honey honey come sing this song.
Lil Liza Jane
If you sing this song you won't go wrong.
Lil Liza Jane

Chorus:
In the mornin
Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.
In the evenin
Ooh Lil Liza
Little Eliza Jane.
[sing entire chorus two times]
-Chuck Perkins - Lil Liza Jane ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx8yQL6o2mA&feature=related

Partial transcription by Azizi Powell, January 12, 2011

* Ooh is elongated and rhymes with "so". It almost sounds to me like the word "Whoo!"

** "mas" comes from the word "masquerade" and means put on the Indian regalia that you sewed

Please send any corrections and additions to cocojams17@yahoo.com

Thanks!

Here's that video which includes a powerful spoken word tribute:

g64 | October 27, 2009

**
Click http://www.cocojams.com/content/american-banjo-fiddle-songs for old school versions of "Little Liza Jane" from the 19th and 20th century.

M,N
MEET DE BOYS ON DE BATTLEFRONT (Version #1)
Chorus:
Meet de boys on de battle front
Meet de boys on de battle front
Meet de boys on de battle front
Well The Wild Tchoupitoulas gonna stomp some romp.

The prettiest little thing that I ever seen
Was the Mardi Gras Indian down in New Orleans.
Well he sewed all night and he sewed all day.
On Mardi Gras morning he went all the way.

Chorus

Injuns comin from all over town.
Big Chief singin "Gonna take 'em down".
Jocky mo fino a lah kay.
Injuns are rulers on the holiday.

Chorus

On Mardi Gras mornin it won't be long.
Gonna play the Indian gonna carry on.
Mas and runnin down on the avenue.
"Here comes the Indians. Let us through".

Chorus

I'm an Indian ruler from the 13th (hall?)
?? I won't be ??
I walk with pride and I ??
Snatch these feathers from an eagle
And drink panther blood.

Chorus

Well ??? I wanna see
???
???
He shoot the gun in the jailhouse door.

Chorus

I bring my gang all over town.
Drink fire water till the sun go down.
When I get back home gonna kneel and pray.
We had some fun on the holiday.

[sing chorus multiple times]
-transcription by Azizi Powell from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKPmk4OCIBQ&feature=PlayList&p=72C3D2A3D4...

Here's that video:

Posted by noragordon
February 15, 2007

**
MEET DE BOYS ON THE BATTLEFRONT (Version #2)
Oh, meet de boys on the Battlefront.
Meet de boys on the Battlefront.
Meet de boys on the Battlefront.
Yeah, the wild Tchopatoulas gonna stomp some rump!

Prettiest little thing that I ever seen -
Mardi gras Injuns in New Orleans.
Sew all night and they sew all day;
Mardi gras mornin' went all the way.

(Chorus)

Injuns comin� from all over town
They drink firewater, gonna bring 'em down.
A Jackimo feeno, hey-la-hey,
have some fun on a holiday.

(Chorus)

I'm an Injun ruler from the thirteenth ward,
A big Chief Kahuna and I can't be bought.
I walk through fire and I swim through mud
Snatch a feather from an eagle, drink panther blood!

(Chorus)

Mardi gras comin' and it won't be long,
Injuns comin', gonna carry on.
They sew all night and they sew all day;
Mardi gras mornin' went all the way.

(Chorus)

Yes, it's a Rudy Poopalina and a hoo-na-no!
Big Chief Jolly everywhere I go.
Don't you touch my flag, yeah, steal my queen,
You have more trouble than you ever seen.

(Chorus)

(Chorus)

Oh, the wild Tchopatoulas gonna stomp some rump!
Yeah, the wild Tchopatoulas gonna stomp some rump

from: http://www.lyricsdownload.com/marley-s-ghost-meet-de-boys-on-the-battlef...

Here's a video of The Wild Tchoupitoulas - "Meet De Boys On De Battlefront"

Posted by jl55378008
January 30, 2010

O,P

Q,R,S
SHALLOW WATER OH MAMA
This video clip from the 2010 HBO series about New Orleans "Treme" is presented without transcription:

LividityHere | May 21, 2010
Chief Lambreaux and his gang practice 'Shallow Water, Oh Mama'
Great scene. Delmond starts grooving despite himself. HBO owns everything, this is just for the fans.

From http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/05/17/treme-shallow-water-oh-mama/ 'Treme' Music Recap: The Hard Side Of The Big Easy Posted 5/17/10 10:00 am ET by
Ben Colins, this is the sixth episode of "Treme". "Shallow Water" Oh Mama is credited to
Clarke Peters (as Albert Lambreaux) et. al. (originally by Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias)

"Albert is engaged in a months-long bureaucratic standoff with local authorities. Lambreaux wants the projects given back to their previous tenants. Some homes, we find out later in the episode, weren't even flood-damaged, needlessly leaving thousands without a place to live. The authorities admire what Chief Albert has brought to the city's time-honored Indian tradition at funerals and celebrations. A politician says he'll try to pull some strings. By episode's end, a go-between for the city government arrives at a Monday night group practice. They're playing "Shallow Water, Oh Mama" without the luxury of any instruments other than a tambourine. It is mere yell upon yell. The original arrangement by Bo Dollis is a grand, sweeping brass parade, accompanied by a persistent booming bass drum and parsed, timed auxiliary percussion. But of course, with most of the band members living in homes that aren't their own, they will make do with what they have to keep the tradition alive."...

****
SHOO FLY (Version #1)
Shoo fly, don't bother me
Shoo fly, don't bother me
If it wasn't for the warden and them lowdown hounds
I'd be in New Orleans 'fore the sun go down
-- Big Chief's battle chant, written by a chief while in the state prison in Angola
Source: http://www.pulitzer.org/year/1996/feature-writing/works/mardigras.html

Editor:
This song excerpt and another posted above were included in the Pulitzer prize winning article {featured writing} by Rick Bragg: "Another Battle of New Orleans: Mardi Gras New Orleans", Feb. 18, 1996 (New York Times)

Here's a video of Mardi Gras Indians singing "Shoo Fly":

Posted by onenawlins
July 28, 2008

"Mardi Gras Indians practicing their chants and calls after the funeral of the late Big Queen Chief Barbara. The Mardi Gras Indians named themselves after native Indians to pay them respect for their assistance in escaping the tyranny of slavery. It was often local Indians who accepted slaves into their society when they made a break for freedom around early to mid 1800s. They have never forgotten this support.The chants that you hear are usually stories of the struggles in the neighborhood, violence, poverty, celebration of life or death etc,,. These chants and calls are passed down from generation to generation. "

****
SHOE FLY (Version #2)
BigEasy Michael a New Orleans Native Son, Native Son Treme Music Arranger/Producer. I remember a song we sang during the late 1960's, and throughout the 1970's.....Old Mardi Gras Indian Song...call shoefly..each Mardi Gras Indian Tribe have different versions of the song.... Shoe Fly Shoe Fly don't batter me, say na shoe fly don't batter me....Say its Mardi Gras day, and Am a Indian wearing grey... shoe fly don't batter me, shoe fly don't batter me....20/20 ma vision ah say, am the prettiest indian on Mardi Gras day... shoe fly don't batter me. shoe fly don't batter me.......... Thanks, and God Bless, Above is only a short version of the old Indian Mardi Gras Chant..call Shoe Fly Don't Batter Me.... The song is a Mardi Gras Indian Secret only a few New Orleanians know the true meaning of the song shoe fly... Thanks again .... BIGEASY MICHAEL COMING SOON....
-BIGEASY MICHAEL; 10/20/2006

Editor:
Thank you BigEasy Michael for sharing information and examples of the Mardi Gras Indian with Cocojams.com! It's a shame that so little is known in the USA & elsewhere about the vibrant, creative culture of the Mardi Gras Indians. God bless you also.

T,U,V
TU WAY PACKA WAY (Example #1; from 1930s)
Get out the dishes,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
Get out the pan,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
Here comes the Indian man,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!

Oh the Red, White, and Blues!
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
Bravest Indians in all the land,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
They are on the march today,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
If you should get in their way,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
Be prepared to die,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
Ooawa-a-a!
Ooawa-a-a!
-Harold Courlander: Negro Folk Music, U.S.A. (Columbia University Press, New York, 1966, pps 173-174).

See rhe video of the HBO series "Treme" for the songs "Tuway Packaway" and "Indian Red" that is reposted in Indian Red (Version #3) above.

****
TU-WAY-PA-KA-WAY (Example #2, recorded in the 1960s)
Oh they comin’ and a jumpin’,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
Oh they comin’ and a runnin’
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
Oh, they comin by the hundreds,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
Oh, the chief of the Mardi Grass
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!
Oh, down on the bayou,
Tu-way-pa-ka-way!"
-Harold Courlander: Negro Folk Music, U.S.A. (New York, Columbia University Press, 1966, pps 173-174).

-snip-

Here's some information about this song/chant from http://www.jass.com/tom/next/indian.html

"The first known song to make use of an Indian phrase was Louis Dumaine's 1927 instrumental "To-Wa-Bac-A-Wa." Sadly this version's only resemblance to Indian music is in the title. The song that became known as Two Way Pock Y Way started out with specific dance steps accompaning the beat and lyrics according to former Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas, Allison "Tootie" Montana.."

Jelly Roll Morton's 1938 Library of Congress recordings gives some insight into what Mardi Gras Indian culture was like at the turn of the Twentieth Century. These recordings were never widely distributed nor even known by the general public, so they certainly did not contribute to spreading any influences of New Orleans Indian music. As to the recordings themselves, Morton reveals that he was once may have been a spyboy, though doesn't mention to which tribe he belonged. He does talk about the Spyboy's purpose in the tribe. He reveals that at that time in the city there were four or five tribes. He also gives examples of a couple of Indian chants and accompanying dances. The text from Allan Lomax's book MISTER JELLY ROLL reveals the Creole spelling as "T'ouwais, bas q'ouwais" and response "Ou tendais," though there have been other representations. One possible translation of the phrase is "I'll kill (tuez) you if you don't get out the way, " with the response "Entendez," or "I hear ya!"

Dave Bartholomew's 1950 Mardi Gras season Imperial release of Carnival Day appears to be the first popular song to make some use of Indian Chants. Bartholomew starts the song chanting about Big Chief Brother Tillman, a well known Chief of the Creole Wild West at that time and then includes the chant Two Way Pak E Way emphasized by the Hum Bah response. The music makes use of the complex rhythms one would associate with the Indians. In an interview Bartholomew talked of being aware of the Indians but never a member himself."

-snip-

Here's a video of a version of this song:

White Eagles Mardi Gras Indians: To-Way-Bac-A-Way #2, camera A (1982)

Uploaded by AlanLomaxArchive on Feb 21, 2012

Big Chief Jake Millon and the White Eagles Mardi Gras Indians rehearse "To-Way-Bac-A-Way" (two of two) at Darrell's Lounge, 7th Ward, New Orleans. Shot by Alan Lomax and crew, May 1982. For more information about the American Patchwork filmwork, Alan Lomax, and his collections, visit http://culturalequity.org. [01.10.05]

****
Click http://www.cocojams.com/content/foot-stomping-cheers-0 for an example of the girls' foot stomping cheer "Two Way Pass Away" whose title and refrain I believe is based on this Mardi Gras Indian Chant.

W,X,Y,Z

****
By no means are the songs listed on this page meant to represent the only Mardi Gras Indian songs & chants sung of the past or the present. Also, it's very likely that there are other lyrics to the songs showcased on this page. Furthermore, the videos featured on this page are not the only examples of Mardi Gras Indian songs & chants that have been uploaded on YouTube.

Please submit examples of & comments about Mardi Gras Indian chants & songs to cocojams17@yahoo.com for possible posting on this website. Your email address is never shared or posted.

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/ to visit my blog.

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