Originally a founding member in the 1980's of New Orleans' popular Rebirth … Read Full Bio ↴Originally a founding member in the 1980's of New Orleans' popular Rebirth Brass Band, with whom he recorded seven lively albums and toured the world. Ruffins branched out on his own in the early 1990's with his own band, a more traditional New Orleans jazz combo, but has also performed with The Kermit Ruffins Big Band. His style is most reminiscent of great Nawlin's trumpeter Louis Armstrong, He regularly performs with his backing band called the Barbecue Swingers in local New Orleans clubs. Ingeniously, he also shows up with a truck that sells Bar BQ off to the side, easily doubling a night's musician pay, satisfying fans stomach as well as spirit. He's also guested on many recordings including records from artists like Los Hombres Calientes and Harry Connick JR, and appears as himself regularly on the HBO television series Treme.

Skokiaan
Kermit Ruffins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, Far away in Africa
Happy happy Africa
They sing a-bing-a-bang-a-bingo
They have a ball and really go
Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan

Oh, Take a trip to Africa
Take any ship to Africa

Come on along and learn the lingo
Inside a jungle bungalow
Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan
Hot drums are drummin', the
Hot strings are strummin', and

Warm lips are blissful, they're
Kissful of Skokiaan

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kermit Ruffins's song Skokiaan talk about the lively and joyful nature of African music and how it can transport one to a world where happiness abounds. Possibly inspired by the 1954 song by the South African band 'The Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band,' the song mentions "A-Bing-A-Bang-A-Bingo" which refers to a type of traditional South African dance that involves stomping and clapping along with the beat of the music. The lyrics further encourage listeners to take a trip to Africa and experience the joyous music firsthand. A visit to a jungle bungalow allows one to learn the lingo and indulge in Skokiaan's blissful experience.

The lyrics also refer to the different musical instruments commonly used in African music, such as the hot drums that are drumming, hot strings that are strumming, and warm lips that are kissful. These instruments come together to create the heart and soul of Skokiaan. The song's upbeat tempo and playful lyrics make it an excellent choice for setting the mood for happy events like weddings and other celebrations.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Far away in Africa
Let's travel in our minds to Africa

Happy happy Africa
Africa is a joyful place

They sing a-bing-a-bang-a-bingo
People in Africa sing with joyful sounds

They have a ball and really go
African people enjoy themselves to the fullest

Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan
Skokiaan is the name of a song that's popular in Africa

Oh, Take a trip to Africa
Let's go on a real trip to Africa

Take any ship to Africa
Any boat will get us to Africa

Come on along and learn the lingo
We'll learn the African language and culture

Inside a jungle bungalow
We'll be living in a hut in the jungle

Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan, Skokiaan
We'll keep enjoying and listening to the Skokiaan song

Hot drums are drummin', the
The drums are played with a feverish rhythm

Hot strings are strummin', and
The strings are played with passion and energy

Warm lips are blissful, they're
Musicians are playing with love and happiness

Kissful of Skokiaan
They are passionate about the Skokiaan song and they show it in their music

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: August Msururgwa, Tom Glazer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

No Related Genres

More Genres

No Artists Found

More Artists Load All

No Albums Found

No Tracks Found

PT5M47S

03When I Die - You Better Second Line7:30

04Wake Up Neesie5:50

05Palm Court Strut6:22

06Stardust5:20

07On The Sunny Side Of The Street5:10

08Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner4:03

09Big Easy6:33

10World Is A Ghetto7:09

11Basin Street Blues5:50

12One Life3:56

13Skokiaan - Remix3:15

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@whodafokcares

13y↑2

This is an awesome FEEL GOOD tune. Kermit always makes me feel better . Thursdays sweatin at Vaughns are awesome . ALL ABOARD! my hats off to Sir Smokesalot!

@sweetaliena

14y↑6

I just heard it on Treme! So good!

@Mastaace

14y↑2

Been scouring for a couple hours before I realized I should youtube for this particular version. To be honest, this ensemble is absolutely perfect and I haven't heard any other versions as crisp and catchy as this one. I am a very huge Kermit Ruffins fan now.. and kind of upset it took David Simon / Eric Overmeyer to show me his brilliance. Kudos to them for making him be a series mainstay.

@josec926

13y↑3

I can listen to this all day long. It makes me feel like its 104 degrees outside I'm under a shaded tree with an ice cold beer.

@1blastman

13y↑7

This song always puts me in a good mood. Can't have the blues listening to this!

@1blastman

Legend has it that this was one of the few songs that was smuggled into the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

@patriciaAmurray

5y↑1

Nice! Sitting in a Popeye’s in New Orleans listening to this. Skokiann is one my favorite tunes off the Herb Alpert + Hugh Masekela album from the 1970s.

@eyezsosexi

14y↑1

Yes now i'm hip to kermit Ruffins because of this song! Love it!! Love Treme! Love New Orleans!

@dirsame

11y↑13

"Skokiaan" is a popular tune originally written by Rhodesian (Zimbabwean) musician August Musarurwa (d.1968) (usually identified as August Msarurgwa on record labels) in the tsaba-tsaba big band style that succeeded marabi. Skokiaan (Chikokiyana in Shona) [1] refers to an illegal self-made alcoholic beverage typically brewed over one day that may contain a dangerous ingredient, such as methylated spirits.[2][3] The tune has also been recorded as "Sikokiyana," "Skokiana," and "Skokian."

@bradleybrussell2473

7y↑1

Great to know more about this style !! I "bumped into" the "Bulawayo sweet rhythm band" about a week ago and havn't been able to stop smiling since !! their version of Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" (1947 accourding to label) is my nominee for the FIRST "rock 'n roll" record, as it starts off sorta 'swing', but says about 1/2 way through :"hell, let's go !! " Just TRY to frown / be stern while it plays, lol !! ... If you had tried to convince me, in my youth, that a 1947 record made in Zimbebwe (yeah. I know it was called "Rhodesia" then) was the "1st", or even "a" rock-'n-roller, I would have asked about what you were smokin' , LOL !!

@bradleybrussell2473

7y↑1

BTW, I've been a pro musican most of my (so far !!) 65 year life, playing Rock, country, blues, jazz, ju-ju, reggae,salsa & such and I'm a real affecianado of "Raw / diamond in the rough" styles of music !! I find that as one gets to be more "skilled" it sometimes just means more " slick" / formulaic !!

@patrickphokoane641

6y↑1

He wrote chikokhiani in Zimbabwean language shona not skokiaan, skokiaan is afrikaans word only in South Africa by the the song was popularised by Hugh masekela

@angelagabriel3199

5y↑1

Thank you for giving credit where it is due!
This is a popular song to play on marimbas in the US. Dumi Maraire came here back in the late 60s as a doctoral student at University of Washington in Seattle and he taught lots of people this song. It has been passed through a couple generations now - I learned it from one of Dumi's students, and I've taught it to little kids. What a great song!

@chamunorwamashoko4781

4y↑1

Thank you this is a legendary song that shaped Southern African Township Jazz gave birth to Kwela and Marabi. Zimbabwe used to be a musical powerhouse.

2 More Replies...

@bradleybrussell2473

7y↑4

NICE GOING, guy's !! very skillfully done / technically correct, without losing what made the music so damned much fun to listen to in the first place !!

@dirsame

11y↑1

One of the greatest sounds out of Africa- yes it has that afro Caribbean feel

@skinupfast

13y↑1

@billholio good to know these new NewOrleans musicians haven´t forgotten these wild tunes.... KR also plays oh didn´t he ramble etc.... CONGRATULATIONS

@MrChiwero2002

14y↑2

"Skokiaan" is a popular tune originally written by Rhodesian musician August Musarurwa (d.1968) (usually identified as August Msarurgwa on record labels) in the tsaba-tsaba big band style that succeeded marabi. Skokiaan (Chikokiyana in Shona) [1] refers to an illegal self-made alcoholic beverage typically brewed over one day that may contain a dangerous ingredient, such as methylated spirits.[2] [3] The tune has also been recorded as "Sikokiyana," "Skokiana," and "Skokian."

@FatsJazzCats

14y

YES this is it: the Global Lingo that we all need to keep alive after Hurricane Katrina and BPs Oil Flood. Kermit, you got it - and we all feel the love for your AFRO-AMERICAN ROOTS represented by your phrasing, riding on a real JUNGLE BEAT.

@Scriptorsilentum

9y↑1

oh yah: ver-r-r-y well done you guys. August M., Bert K., and the Four Lads did it beautifully, made me sway. You have, too. Very nicely done you guys!

@BGR_33

11y↑2

I love this song!! :)

@seef76

12y↑1

He channels the great Satchmo!!! Kudos!!!!

@nechector

12y↑3

Treme brought me here

@bigjoe7669

14y↑1

@Mastaace yeah this is the first piece of just music I have ever uploaded to youtube. I found the music somewhere, then just found a picture of Kermit and let fly. Yeah I heard the song on that first episode of Treme' and I was hooked and I had to find first what the record was, and then a cool version of it. Glad you enjoyed.

@megaluckydog01

My favorite song at Popeyes.

@Nam3y123

2y↑1

Thank You Popeyes!!!

@pedrojimenezg4840

Es una de las mejores canciones que he podido escuchar, me encanta

@skinupfast

13y↑1

@spokest also done by louis armstrong & orchestra with omer simeon on soprano of which most probably you know already + the cold storage band (bulawayo jazz) of rhodesia recorded early 50ies which is absulutely charming with its originality plus there´s a recording by the early english traditional chris barber jazz band worth listening to with jamaican bertie king on sax. enjoy yourself

@ldouse01

12y↑1

Truly,Truly,Truly NEW ORLEANS Ya' Heard Me. .......Oh Yeah Kerm is a personal friend,so shout out to ya' Kerm. Ya' Boy NERK.

@spokest

13y↑1

If you like this then check out the African Jazz Pioneers' version, plus their other stuff

@SmashinAdams

5y↑1

I believe "Skokiaan" is short for Mvskokian, which is what me & my fellow "new orleans indian" Chahta are. Strange.

@hugoeazy89

11y

Has a Caribbean flavour

@noweedman

14y

@bigjoe7669 hallelujah brother armstrongs version took me on a long journey into jazz when i was a teen and straight to africa far away now i hear different versions and i got those by the bulawayo sweet...band and the cold storage, very original, basic plus this one by kermit ruffins, then back to satchmos vibrant trumpet an the blues you can hear in omer simeons sporano...........

@agramsci

12y

HAPPY MARDI GRAS EVERYBODY!

@MrOkojie

14y

Me too

@foutezmoi

12y

people should play that on kwanza

@KJMitchell

8y↑1

Nothing like being NOLA on a Mardi Gras Day !!!!!!

@Mastaace

14y

@bigjoe7669 Just ordered 'Live @ Vaughn's' off of Amazon to ensure I own this song.. is that the album this version is taken from?

@foutezmoi

12y

i realized that he looks A LOT like Louis Jordan..

@bigjoe7669

14y

@steveB2k6 Amen brother I heard the same and when I listen back to the song I feel like it's that kind of song like it's that old like it's that important.

@jimeathorne

14y

Live at Vaughns is great but the production does not measure up to this

@noweedman

14y

@bigjoe7669

@makjazz7

12y

NO NOT AT ALL.. BRAVE COMBO SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE THIS IS AUTHENTICALLY FROM NEW ORLEANS. THE SOURCE. SIMPLE AND PLAIN.. DENTON TEXAS IS VOID OF AUTHENTICITY.BY THE WAY KERMIT HAS NO DEGREE IN JAZZ HE LIVES IT. GO TO THE SOURCE.

@ChakaT28

This is Authentically South African this is an old 50s 60s I grew up Listening to the Original Jazz in Zimbabwe. He did a great job on it enough respect for Kermit.

@whodafokcares

13y

This is an awesome FEEL GOOD tune. Kermit always makes me feel better . Thuirsdays sweatin at Vaughns are awesome . ALL ABOARD! my hats off to Sir Smokesalot!

More Comments

just now