Hawaiian War Chant
New Hawaiian Band Lyrics
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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
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
The lyrics to "Hawaiian War Chant" by the New Hawaiian Band describe a cheerful melody that originated in Waikiki, Hawaii. It explains how a native started singing it by the sea and gathered a crowd around him. The melody was quickly adopted by other natives, and the hula hula maidens began dancing to it. The song compares the catchy tune to a tropical storm due to the way it caught on and spread quickly.
The chorus of the song features a mix of Hawaiian and English lyrics. The phrase "Ow way tah tualan" translates to "Aha! Who's got the sweetest disposition? One guess, guess who?" The next line, "Me big bad fightin' man" seems disconnected with the rest of the song but perhaps adds levity to an already lighthearted tune.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of joy and celebration that is associated with Hawaiian culture. It is a happy and upbeat song that continues to be popular globally today.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a sunny little funny little melody
There's a happy, amusing tune
That was started by a native down in Waikiki
The melody was created by a local person in Waikiki
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
The writer would gather people near the ocean when they played the melody
And they'd play his gay Hawaiian chant
The group would perform the cheerful Hawaiian song
Soon the other little natives started singin' it
Others also sang the melody
And the hula hula maidens started swingin' it
The female hula dancers started dancing to the melody
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
The song became very popular, like a storm sweeping through
Funny little gay Hawaiian Chant
This happy Hawaiian melody
Ow way tah tualan Me big bad fightin' man
A line from the song, which does not have a significant meaning
Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
Despite the fact that it originated in Hawaii
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
The song is just as popular in other places, such as Tennessee or Iowa
If you wander into any cabaret
If you go to a place that has live music and dancing
You will hear this gay Hawaiian Chant
You will hear this happy Hawaiian song
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: JOHNNY NOBLE, RALPH FREED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind