Backing band was provided in part by members of the Meters. The album also features Landry's nephews, the Neville Brothers, providing harmonies and some instrumentation.
The album was produced by famed New Orleans composer / songwriter / musician and record producer Allen Toussaint.
Indian Red
The Wild Tchoupitoulas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Wee are iiiiindeeyans, iiiiindeeyans
The wild wild creation
We won't kneel down, (we won't kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (in the morning)
hando hando hando (in the evening)
hando hando hando (all day long)
hando hando hando
We won't bow down (we won't bow down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Mighty cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
I got a spyyyy boy, spyyyy boy
Spy boy on the nation,
The wild wild creation
We won't bow down, (we won't bow down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (in the morning)
hando hando hando (in the evening)
hando hando hando (all day long)
hando hando hando
We won't kneel down, (we won't kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Mighty cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
I got a flaaaaag boy, flaaaaaag boy
Flag boy of the nation
The wild wild creation
We won't kneel down (he won't kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (in the morning)
hando hando hando (or in the evening)
hando hando hando (all day long now)
hando hando hando
We won't kneel down, (we won't kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Oh I'm the biiiiig chief, biiiiiig chief
The Big Chief of the nation
The wild wild creation
I won't kneel down (he won't kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (in the morning)
hando hando hando (in the evening)
hando hando hando (all day loong)
hando hando hando
I won't kneel down (he won't kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
(Faster)
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando
hando hando hando (in the evening)
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
My Indian Red,
We gonna kill em dead (we gonna kill em dead)
I love to hear em call my Indian Red
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
My Indian Red, we gonna kill em dead
Oh I love to hear them call my Indian reeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (way now)
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
Oh my Indian Red, (my Indian Red)
Oh we gonna kill em dead (gonna kill him dead)
Oh I love to hear them call my Indian reeeed
(Slow down)
Mightaaaay cooty fie ohhhh
Mmmm mmmm
Mmmm mmmm
Mightaaaay cooty fie ohhhh
Mmmm mmmm
eey iii yayyy (fade)
(Wild Tchoupitoulas!)
The Wild Tchoupitoulas' song "Indian Red" is a rich tribute to the American Indian Culture. This song proudly emphasizes the historical values and traditions of Native American tribes expressed through the beat of funk and soulful music. The lyrics represent staunch pride in one's heritage and culture while celebrating the passionate, infectious spirit of the American Indian. The song is partly about the Wild Tchoupitoulas tribe in New Orleans, and it describes their fighting spirit, the intensity of their music and the power of their culture.
The chorus "Mighty cooty fie oh, eey iii yayyy" is a Native American expression used to describe a victory cry. The song opens with a typical Native American chant that says "We are Indians of the nation, wild wild creation," followed by a strong affirmation to never bow down to anyone. The lines "Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando" signify the ancient Indian war cry. It's a cry that showcases the strength and confidence of the tribe. Another verse of the song mentions a "spy boy" who's like a lookout and "flag boy" who carries the flag of their nation. The verses emphasize the tribe's love for their Indian Red and how it empowers and motivates their fight.
Line by Line Meaning
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh, eey iii yayyy
Chant expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Wee are iiiiindeeyans, iiiiindeeyans
We are the Indians of the nation
The wild wild creation
Proud declaration of Native American identity and culture
We won't kneel down, (we won't kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Refusal to submit to oppression, celebrating the honor of being called 'Indian Red'
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (in the morning)
hando hando hando (in the evening)
hando hando hando (all day long)
hando hando hando
Rhythmic chant to evoke a sense of tribal spirit and unity
I got a spyyyy boy, spyyyy boy
Spy boy on the nation,
The wild wild creation
Proud declaration of being a spy boy and protecting the nation, the embodiment of its wild and free spirit
I got a flaaaaag boy, flaaaaaag boy
Flag boy of the nation
The wild wild creation
Proud declaration of being a flag boy, representing the nation with its wild and free spirit
Oh I'm the biiiiig chief, biiiiiig chief
The Big Chief of the nation
The wild wild creation
Proud declaration of being the Big Chief, leader of the nation, embodying its wild and free spirit
My Indian Red,
We gonna kill em dead (we gonna kill em dead)
I love to hear em call my Indian Red
Using 'Indian Red' as a battle cry to rally against oppressors who threaten their way of life
Oh my Indian Red, (my Indian Red)
Oh we gonna kill em dead (gonna kill him dead)
Oh I love to hear them call my Indian reeeed
Continuing the use of 'Indian Red' as a source of pride and power, driving their determination to resist and defend their culture
Mightaaaay cooty fie ohhhh
Mmmm mmmm
eey iii yayyy (fade)
Repeating the opening chant to end the song on a high note, a proud celebration of Native American culture
Writer(s): George Landry
Contributed by Benjamin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jenniferbrooke6511
(slightly phonetic lyrics)
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Wee are iiiiindeeyans, iiiiindeeyans
We are the Indians of the nation
The wild wild creation
We won’t kneel down, (we won’t kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (in the morning)
hando hando hando (in the evening)
hando hando hando (all day long)
hando hando hando
We won’t bow down (we won't bow down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Mighty cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
I got a spyyyy boy, spyyyy boy
Spy boy on the nation,
The wild wild creation
We won’t bow down, (we won’t bow down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (in the morning)
hando hando hando (in the evening)
hando hando hando (all day long)
hando hando hando
We won’t kneel down, (we won’t kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Mighty cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
I got a flaaaaag boy, flaaaaaag boy
Flag boy of the nation
The wild wild creation
We won’t kneel down (he won’t kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (in the morning)
hando hando hando (or in the evening)
hando hando hando (all day long now)
hando hando hando
We won’t kneel down, (we won’t kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Mightaaay cooty fie ohhhh,
eey iii yayyy
eey iii yayyy
Oh I’m the biiiiig chief, biiiiiig chief
The Big Chief of the nation
The wild wild creation
I won’t kneel down (he won’t kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (in the morning)
hando hando hando (in the evening)
hando hando hando (all day loong)
hando hando hando
I won’t kneel down (he won’t kneel down)
Not on the ground (not on the ground)
Oh how I love to hear them call my Indian reeeeed
(Faster)
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando
hando hando hando (in the evening)
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
My Indian Red,
We gonna kill em dead (we gonna kill em dead)
I love to hear em call my Indian Red
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
My Indian Red, we gonna kill em dead
Oh I love to hear them call my Indian reeeed
Jacomo fin doe hando hando hando (way now)
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
hando hando hando
Oh my Indian Red, (my Indian Red)
Oh we gonna kill em dead (gonna kill him dead)
Oh I love to hear them call my Indian reeeed
(Slow down)
Mightaaaay cooty fie ohhhh
Mmmm mmmm
Mmmm mmmm
Mightaaaay cooty fie ohhhh
Mmmm mmmm
eey iii yayyy (fade)
(Wild Tchoupitoulas!)
@n.stanley6635
The Irish have a saying: "The winners write the histories, but the losers write the songs." Give me the music any day of my life...
@cattycorner8
never heard that before, but it's brilliant.
@hvishiopaluksi8583
The songs are the History!
@TonyfromBham
‘Well put.
@ljbroussard5519
Love this song in all its permutations. Merci pour le partage. Makes me feel homesick... in a good way. When I was a little girl (born over in rural Cameron Parish during Audrey, me -- my mama died, and they sent me to stay up in NO with Daddy's people) -- it was a rare treat to come across Indians, always late at night, very secretive back then and not well known to the world outside the city... on Saint Josephs, that's when you might find some... never, ever will I forget the first time I saw them (I'd snuck out my auntie's window, naughty child that I was and am)... crossed the RR tracks and went around the block where I wasn't supposed to be, and there they were. It was magical. The big chief looked like a holy man to my child's eyes. He stared right through me and opened his wings. If I could paint, I could paint you a picture of every detail on his suit. All I could stutter was, "You the prettiest, chief." He said not a word, just nodded his head... and disappeared with his boys. Vanished into the night... I felt blessed. Truly blessed. Like the Pope himself had laid a hand on my head. For real.
@davephillips1263
What a lovely memory, thanks for sharing. :)
@cattycorner8
My God! what a wonderful story! Thanks so much for sharing <3
@davidclark4916
What a beautiful story. Ms. Broussard, you were truly blessed.
@mr_bissy
Best comment on a YouTube video...ever. Thank you.
@HighPriestessCreoleQueen
That was a beautiful memory. Thank you for sharing! Happy Mardi Gras!