Iko! Iko! an de' (youtube that's cooool)

[Inchworm]

I wish I knew what she was sayin!

I'm totally loving it.

__________________________________

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n04ws2nzXpk

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'

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

Wooooot!

:dance:

:wave:

:hi:

[Roon]

1. I remember tripping balls

and dancing to this song at a Dead show when they covered it. I believe it was the second encore.

[Inchworm]

2. no clue what they are saying either, huh?

hehe

:hi:

[Roon]

3. Nope! eom

[kwassa]

4. It is about Mardi Gras "Indians" parading in New Orleans

Here is a great article on the subject.

http://www.jass.com/tom/next/indian.html

Mardi Gras Indian Influence on the Music of New Orleans

(Excerpt)

Certainly the first popular song published that made liberal use of the Mardi Gras Indian chants was Sugar Boy Crawford's November 1953 Checker recording "Jock-A-Mo." According to a recent interview with Crawford, the original title was "Chockamo," though through a misinterpretation of what Crawford was singing, it ended up being titled "Jock-A-Mo." Crawford says, "It came from two Indian chants that I put music to." "Iko Iko" was a victory chant the Indians would shout. "Jock-A-Mo" was a chant called when the Indians went into battle." Crawford, who grew up in the 1300 block of LaSalle Street, was well acquainted with the many Indian tribes in his area but did not mask as an Indian. To the casual listener not knowledgable about the Indians, a reference to "having some fun on a Mardi Gras Day," sets the stage for the song. The song begins as a confrontation between Mardi Gras Indians might, a face-to-face meeting of Spyboys with one threatening the other by challenging that "I'm going to set your flag on fiyo (fire). The music is reminiscent of an Indian second line but for the most part is typical of the rhythm and blues songs recorded in the Crescent City at that time. The song came out for the 1954 Mardi Gras and according to Crawford "Nobody paid attention to the song..for over ten years." Certainly as it reemerged as "Iko Iko" by the Dixie Cups, it garnered a much bigger impact.

[Inchworm]

5. Excellent!

Thanks for finding that.

:yourock:

[kwassa]

6. There was a record by the Wild Tchoupitoulas

that has most of these classic New Orleans street songs. The Wild Tchoupitoulas is an "Indian" tribe that included members of the Neville Brothers, and they put out an album in the mid-70s that was excellent.

Iko Iko goes by many names, but it is the same song. It is something like "jock o mo fe na nay" on the album, as I recall

http://www.pattersonandassociates.com/bios/The_Neville_Brothers/

In New Orleans, the practice of blacks dressing as Indians during the Carnival season goes back to the late 1800’s. By the 1930’s their numbers had increased to the point where violence over turf battles between warring tribes was common. The custom of masking Indian died out, but reemerged in the 1960’s. Mock battles now take place between modern-day tribes who compete to see who has the most elaborate costume. The creation of costumes is a year-long process involving intricate bead, sequin and feather outfits. Tribes practicing today include the Wild Magnolias, Creole Wild West, Golden Star Hunters, Seminoles, Original Yellow Jackets, Ninth Ward Warriors and the Guardians of the Flame. The Indians costume and parade on Mardi Gras and Saint Joseph’s Day (March 19).