“Iko Iko” (/ˈaɪkoʊ ˈaɪkoʊ/) is a much-covered New Orleans song that tells of a parade collision between two “tribes” of Mardi Gras Indians and the traditional confrontation. The song, under the original title “Jock-A-Mo”, was written and released as a single in 1953 by Sugar Boy and his Cane Cutters.
In the 60’s, the Dixie Cups’s recorded a version that became a hit. New Orleans singer and pianist Dr. John covered “Iko Iko” in 1972 for his fifth studio album Dr. John’s Gumbo. It has also been covered by the Grateful Dead who made “Iko Iko” a staple in their live shows from 1977 onward.
D
Hey now, Hey now,
A
Iko Iko ah-nay
A
Joc-a-mo-fee-no-ah-nah-nay
D
Joc-a-mo-fee-nah-nay
D
My spy boy to your spy boy,
A
They were sittin' along the bayou,
A
My spy boy to your spy boy,
D
I'm gonna set your tail on fire.
Hey now, Hey now,
Iko Iko ah-nay
Joc-a-mo-fee-no-ah-nah-nay
Joc-a-mo-fee-nah-nay
My Grandma to your Grandpa
Sittin on' the bayou
My Grandma to your Grandpa
Gonna fix your chicken wire.
Additional Verses:
My grandma and your grandma were
Sit-tin’ by the fire. – My grandma told
Your grandma “I’m gonna set your flag on fire.”
Talk-in’ ’bout, Hey now ! Hey now ! I-KO, I-KO, un-day
Jack-a-mo fee-no ai na-na. – Jock-a-mo fee na-na
My flag boy and your flag boy were
Sit-tin’ by the fire. – My flag boy told
Your flag boy “I’m gonna set your flag on fire.”
ABOUT THE SONG
Recording: digital 1-track stereo
From the album MMXVI