Born on 1932 in Kauai, Hawaii, Lyman originally was the vibes player with 4… Read Full Bio ↴Born on 1932 in Kauai, Hawaii, Lyman originally was the vibes player with 4 mallets in Martin Denny's 1950's exotica combo that played Honolulu's Halekulani Hotel. After their chart topping sucess on "Quiet Village", Lyman soon branched out on his own and became a musical star in his own right. He was a vital part of the tropical tiki trend, with his signature mellow marimba and echoing bird calls. His biggest easy listening hit was "Yellow Bird" which topped the charts in 1961, while his 1958 debut album Taboo sold 2 million copies. Lyman was an amicable guest on numerous tv programs like "The Red Skelton Show," "The Andy Williams Show," and "The Steve Allen Show." His ten year enagement at The Shell Bar at the Hawaiian Village Hotel was also regularly featured on TV via Robert Conrad & Connie Stevens' 1960's show "Hawaiian Eye". His numerous original albums appearing on labels like Hi-Fi Liberty, GNP-Crescendo, and Life Records, and his most popular recordings were re-released on CD via Rykodisc in the 1990's. Much of his back catalog has appeared on legit download sites under auspices of Essential Media Group/IODA. He still performed casual weekly cocktail hour marimba sets at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel near Diamond Head on Oahu into the late 1990's before dying of throat cancer on 2002.

Hawaiian War Chant
Arthur Lyman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a sunny little funny little melody
That was started by a native down in Waikiki
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
And they'd play his gay Hawaiian chant
Soon the other little natives started singin' it
And the hula hula maidens started swingin' it
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
Funny little gay Hawaiian Chant

Ow way tah tualan Me big bad fightin' man
Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway

If you wander into any cabaret
You will hear this gay Hawaiian Chant

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Arthur Lyman's song, "Hawaiian War Chant," tell the story of a catchy little melody that was started by a native Hawaiian down in Waikiki. He would entertain crowds by singing this "funny little gay Hawaiian chant" beside the sea, and soon enough, others began singing and swinging along to it. The song spread like a tropical storm, hitting Tennessee and Iowa with the same popularity it had in Hawaii. It became such a beloved tune that it can now be heard in any cabaret you might wander into.

The lyrics, though simple and straightforward, are rich in cultural references and evoke a sense of joy and carefree abandon. They celebrate the power of music to unite people, regardless of their origin or background. The Hawaiian chant, in this sense, becomes a metaphor for the universality of human emotions and the power of expression to bridge cultural divides.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a sunny little funny little melody
This song is characterized by a happy and light melody.

That was started by a native down in Waikiki
The melody originated with a local Hawaiian in the Waikiki area.

He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
The native would gather people near the ocean.

And they'd play his gay Hawaiian chant
The crowd would join in and play/sing the song with him.

Soon the other little natives started singin' it
The song became popular with other Hawaiians who also started singing it.

And the hula hula maidens started swingin' it
The dance performers also enjoyed the song and started to incorporate it into their performances.

Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
The popularity of the song spread quickly and powerfully.

Funny little gay Hawaiian Chant
The song is a light and humorous Hawaiian chant.

Ow way tah tualan Me big bad fightin' man
This line is likely part of the original chant and may not have a clear meaning.

Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
Although the song originated in Hawaii.

It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
The song is popular not only in Hawaii but also in other states like Tennessee or Iowa.

If you wander into any cabaret
If you go to any club or bar.

You will hear this gay Hawaiian Chant
You will likely hear this song being played or sung.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: JOHNNY NOBLE, RALPH FREED

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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