Iko Iko
Dora the Explorer feat. Aaron Neville Lyrics
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Sit-tin' by the fire. - My grand-ma told
Your grand-ma: "I'm gon-na set your flag on fire."--
Talk-in' 'bout, Hey now! Hey now! I-KO, I-KO, un-day
Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né. - Jock-a-mo fee na-né.-
Look at my king all dressed in red.-
Jock-a-mo fee na-né
Talk-in' 'bout, Hey now! Hey now! I-KO, I-KO, un-day
Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né. - Jock-a-mo fee na-né.-
My flag boy and your flag boy were
Sit-tin' by the fire. - My flag boy told
Your flag boy: "I'm gon-na set your flag on fire."
Talk-in' 'bout, Hey now! Hey now! I-KO, I-KO, un-day
Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né. - Jock-a-mo fee na-né.-
See that guy all dressed in green? -
I-KO, I-KO, un-day. He's not a man;
He's a lov-in' ma-chine.--
Jock-a mo fee na-né.--
Talk-in' 'bout, Hey now! Hey now! I-KO, I-KO, un-day
Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né. - Jock-a-mo fee na-né.-
The lyrics to "Iko Iko" are a playful exchange between two groups of people, each boasting about their own tribe's power and ability to set the other's flag on fire. The first verse sets the stage with the grandmothers of the two tribes sitting by the fire, and one of them threatening to set the other's flag ablaze. The chorus repeats the phrase "Hey now! Hey now! I-KO, I-KO, un-day" and "Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né," which translates to "One day, everything will be alright."
The second verse introduces a king dressed in red, and the singer bets five dollars that he will kill someone. The third verse includes the flag boys of the two tribes interacting, with one threatening to set the other's flag on fire. The final verse describes a man dressed in green who is actually a love machine.
Overall, the lyrics have a fun and upbeat vibe, and the call-and-response nature of the chorus invites everyone to join in and sing along.
Line by Line Meaning
My grand-ma and your grand-ma were
Sit-tin' by the fire.
My grandmother and your grandmother were sitting together by the fire.
My grand-ma told
Your grand-ma: "I'm gon-na set your flag on fire."--
My grandmother stated to your grandmother that she will set her flag on fire.
I-KO, I-KO, un-day
Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né.--
An expression of excitement or enthusiasm.
Look at my king all dressed in red.-
I-KO, I-KO, un-day. I bet-cha five dol-lars he'll kill you dead.--
Jock-a-mo fee na-né
My king, wearing red, is very powerful and dangerous, and I am willing to bet five dollars that he will defeat you.
My flag boy and your flag boy were
Sit-tin' by the fire. - My flag boy told
Your flag boy: "I'm gon-na set your flag on fire."
My flag holder and your flag holder were also sitting together by the fire, and my flag holder said he will set your flag on fire.
See that guy all dressed in green? -
I-KO, I-KO, un-day. He's not a man;
He's a lov-in' ma-chine.--
Jock-a mo fee na-né.--
Look at the man in green, he is a love machine rather than a normal human.
Talk-in' 'bout, Hey now! Hey now! I-KO, I-KO, un-day
Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né. - Jock-a-mo fee na-né.-
A repeated chant or sing-along to emphasize the previous lyrics.
Writer(s): James Crawford, Barbara Ann Hawkins, Rosa Lee Hawkins, Joan Marie Johnson
Contributed by Alaina E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.