Iko-Iko

"Iko-Iko" is a song from Warren Zevon's first album, Wanted Dead or Alive.

About the Song

"Iko Iko" is a much-covered New Orleans song that tells of a parade collision between two "tribes" of Mardi Gras Indians. The song tell the story of a "spy dog" or lookout for one band of Indians encountering the "flag boy" or guidon carrier for another band, and threatens to set his flag on fire. The lyrics are derived from Indian chants and popular catchphrases. The song is closely identified with the Mardi Gras Festival, and is the first cover of Warren Zevon's career.

Song Lyrics

Note: the text of this song's lyrics is not under the same copyright license as the wiki's encyclopedic text, it is used under fair use/dealing.

Now, your grandma's, and my grandma's,

sittin' by the fire

My grandma told your grandma,

"I'm gonna set your flag on fire."

Hey, now (hey now) Hey now, (hey now)

Iko-iko an dey (yeah)

Chakko mo fino, ah-nah-ney

Chakko mo fi-nah-ney

Now, your flag boy and my flag boy

Was sittin' by the fire

My flag boy told your flag boy

"I'm gonna set your flag on fire."

Hey, now (hey now) Hey now, (hey now)

Iko-iko an dey (yeah)

Chakko mo fino, ah-nah-ney

Chakko mo fi-nah-ney

(Hey, hey now)

Now, look at my king,

All dressed in red

Iko-Iko an-dey

I betcha' five dollars,

He'll kill ya dead

Chakko mo fi-nah-ney

Hey, now (hey now) Hey now, (hey now)

Iko-iko an dey (hey)

Chakko mo fino, ah-nah-ney

Chakko mo fi-nah-ney

IKO!

See Also

• Wanted Dead or Alive