Iko IKo
Williams Larry Lyrics

The song "Iko Iko" by Williams Larry is a traditional New Orleans song that tells a story of two tribes of Mardi Gras Indians who are engaged in a war. The song has a call-and-response structure, with the lead singer making a statement and the response being a chant. The song begins with the singer's grandmother and the other person's grandmother sitting by the fire, and suddenly the singer's grandmother says she is going to set the other person's flag on fire, which is a clear reference to the upcoming battle between their tribes. This war imagery is further emphasized as the song goes on and the singer bets five dollars on the fact that their leader dressed in red will kill the other person.

The chorus of the song, "I-ko, I-ko, un-day, Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, jock-a-mo fee na-né," is a Mardi Gras Indian chant that does not hold any direct meaning, but rather is meant to be a call-and-response chant that can be sung by any group. The second verse of the song refers to two flag bearers who are also engaged in a conflict, indicating that the tribal war is not limited to the leaders.

In conclusion, "Iko Iko" is a song that celebrates the Mardi Gras Indian culture of New Orleans and the ritualistic battle between tribes that occurs during the festival.