MARDI GRAS INDIAN SONGS & CHANTS

MARDI GRAS INDIAN SONGS & CHANTS

This Cocojams page contains examples of & commentary about Mardi Gras chants and songs. The purpose of this page is to share information about this unique & creative African American cultural tradition.

Here's an excerpt from http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Sec_mgind/history.htmabout Mardi Gras Indians:

"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-

This website is well worth your visit if you are interested in the subject of Mardi Gras, and Mardi Gras Indians. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi_Gras_Indians is another online resource on this African American culture. Here is a brief excerpt from that page:

"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". Many of the tribes also parade on the Sunday nearest to Saint Joseph's Day on March 19 ("Super Sunday") and sometimes 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-

Special thanks to all the sources featured on this page.

Please help to raise awareness about these songs/ chants. Send submissions of lyrics and links to YouTube videos of these songs/chants to cocojams17@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

Note: Several versions of the song "Iko Iko" are provided on this page. Please visit http://www.cocojams.com/content/text-analysis-iko-iko for textual analysis of this song which is said to be based on at least one Mardi Gras Indian chant.

SONG /CHANT LYRICS

A,B
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

Jazz Open, Stuttgart, Germany, July 1995

C,D

E,F

G,H
HEY POCKY WAY

Here's a 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
I,J
Editor: The "Iko Iko" entry revised 2/16/2010
There are many different versions of the "Iko Iko" song. Most sources indicate that this song is based on at least one and possibly more than one Mardi Gras Indian chant.

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

Here's a YouTube video of "Iko Iko" that is posted on cocojams' sister website at http://www.jambalayah.com/node/80

The Dixie Cups - Iko Iko (oldies show)

Posted by John1948Four
March 04, 2009

**
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........

****
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}:

-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

Editor: See comments about these and other lyrics for "Iko Iko: on Cocojams' Text Analysis page.

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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 (also known as MY 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&feature=PlayList&p=72C3D2A3D40470FE&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4

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.

Editor: See this comment from twp viewers of that video:

OldOrleans7W (1 year ago) I must say I am quite impressed
COOCHIE MA !!!

**
jazzriff (1 year ago) I must say, this is the first time I've heard this song performed by anyone other than the African American Mardi Gras Indians. I give you mad props for that! You did it justice...
****

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

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".

K,L

M,N
MEET DE BOYS ON DE BATTLEFRONT (Also given as "Meet De Boys On The Battlefront")
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...

See that video below:

noragordon
February 15, 2007

"A short description of the Mardi Gras Indians."

O,P

Q,R,S
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. It would be wonderful if you would send in more examples for posting on Cocojams! It's a shame that this vibrant, creative culture is so little known in this country and elsewhere. God bless you also.

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SHOO FLY 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)

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}.

****
TU-WAY-PA-KA-WAY (Example #2, recorded in the1960)
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."

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

W,X,Y,Z

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Please submit examples of & comments about Mardi Gras Indian chants & songs to cocojams17@yahoo.com for possible posting on this website.

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