Iko Iko
Wild Magnolias Lyrics
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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 I-ko, I-ko, un-day.
I bet-cha five dol-lars he'll kill you dead, 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 Wild Magnolias's song "Iko Iko" reference a traditional Mardi Gras Indian chant. The song tells the story of two grandmothers who engage in a playful argument, with one threatening to set the other's flag on fire. The lyrics also mention a king dressed in red, with a bet of five dollars that he will kill someone, and a man dressed in green who is described as a "loving machine".
The phrase "Iko Iko" itself has various meanings, such as "I am going to meet you" or "I am going to dance with you". The chant is traditionally sung during Mardi Gras celebrations and is believed to have originated from an African American tradition of parading and exchanging insults with rival neighborhoods. The chant also represents the coming together of different cultures, as it is a mix of African, Native American, and Creole influences.
The lyrics of "Iko Iko" reflect the playful and competitive nature of the Mardi Gras tradition, with the grandmothers and flag boys engaging in a lighthearted argument. The mention of the king dressed in red and the man in green adds to the carnival-like atmosphere of the song, with its colorful and vibrant imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
My grand-ma and your grand-ma were sit-tin' by the fire.
Two grandmothers were sitting by a fire together.
My grand-ma told your grand-ma: "I'm gon-na set your flag on fire."
One grandmother threatened to set the other grandmother's 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
Chanting and invoking African spirits.
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
Referring to a powerful individual dressed in red who is willing to use violence against others.
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."
Two people who carry flags for different groups were sitting together, and one threatened to burn the other group's flag.
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
A man dressed in green is described as a love machine.
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
Chanting and invoking African spirits again.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barbara Anne Hawkins, Joan Marie Johnson, Rosa Lee Hawkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind