# "Iko Iko" - what's a flag boy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 14, 2005, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193 "2005-10-14T06:04:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/1 "2005-10-14T06:04:45Z")
_My flag boy and your flag boy Were sitting by the fire My flag boy told your flag boy I’m gonna set your flag on fire…_ Anybody know what a flag boy is? Or anything else about this song? What are the proper words that sound phonetically like “jocko-mo-fee-na-nay”? Is it Cajun? ---
**Author:** ![Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/2 "2005-10-14T06:46:36Z")
[Wikipedia to the rescue!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iko_Iko) > [@Wikipedia](#): > > **Interviewer:** How did you construct ‘Jock-A-Mo?’ > **Crawford:** It came from two Indian chants that I put music to. ‘Iko Iko’ was like a victory chant that the Indians would shout. ‘Jock-A-Mo’ was a chant that was called when the Indians went into battle. I just put them together and made a song out of them… Lloyd Price just added music to it and it became a hit. I was just trying to write a catchy song… > **Interviewer:** Listeners wonder what ‘Jock-A-Mo’ means. Some music scholars say it translates in Mardi Gras Indian lingo as ‘Kiss my ass,’ and I’ve read where some think Jock-A-Mo was a court jester. What does it mean? > **Crawford:** I really don’t know. (laughs) As for the flag boys, they’re the tribes’ standard-bearers. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/3 "2005-10-14T10:56:27Z")
And here I always thought it was “fly-boy”. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/4 "2005-10-14T11:46:14Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > And here I always thought it was “fly-boy”. _cringe_ That would make the lyrics, “I’m gonna set your fly on fire”, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/5 "2005-10-14T11:55:26Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > _cringe_ That would make the lyrics, “I’m gonna set your fly on fire”, wouldn’t it? I thought the two ran away together. _My fly-boy and your fly-boy Sitting by the fire My fly-boy told your fly-boy “We’re gonna set this nigh on fire!”_ That’s not right, is it? ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/6 "2005-10-14T13:34:21Z")
The version I’m most familiar with refers to spy boys (who run ahead of the tribe in the parades to scout out the rival tribes). _My spy boy saw your spy boy Sitting on the bayou Said my spy boy to your spy boy I’m gonna set your stuff on fire_ Or, alternately, _I’m gonna fix your chicken wire_ ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/7 "2005-10-14T14:21:27Z")
> [@fishbicycle](#): > > Anybody know what a flag boy is? I thought someone said in the [previous thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=320887), only ‘flag boy’ isn’t discussed there. But the thread did have [this link](http://www.jass.com/tom/next/indian.html), which is pretty informative. > [@](#): > > To the casual listener not knowledgable about the Indians, a reference to “having some fun on a Mardi Gras Day,” sets the stage for the song. The song begins as a confrontation between Mardi Gras Indians might, a face-to-face meeting of Spyboys with one threatening the other by challenging that "I’m going to set your flag on fiyo (fire)… > > The Spyboys of the original first verse become Grandmas, which points more towards a signifying episode than an Indian exchange. The Queen reference is turned into a King and was certainly not written by any New Orleans songster who would certainly say Chief. The second verse shows more understanding of Indian culture as Grandma now becomes a Flagboy. I’ve been to Mardi Gras a few times, but I don’t remember seeing the Mardi Gras Indians. But signifying banners are part of the krewes. I would assume a flagboy is the one who carries the tribe’s flag, and that the confrontation may be along the lines of Capture The Flag. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/8 "2005-10-14T14:34:21Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I’ve been to Mardi Gras a few times, but I don’t remember seeing the Mardi Gras Indians. They do have Zulus though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/9 "2005-10-14T17:28:48Z")
And a spy _dog_…? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/10 "2005-10-14T19:28:58Z")
I found a couple of Mardi Gras Indian websites: [Creole Osceola](http://www.creoleosceola.com/index.htm) [The Wild Magnolias](http://www.wildmagnolias.net/) [and here’s a list of tribes](http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Sec_mgind/indian_mainpg.htm). ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/11 "2005-10-14T19:36:00Z")
Thanks for the replies and interesting reading, everyone! ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/12 "2005-10-14T19:47:41Z")
I saw the Dixie Cups do this song on the benefit concert the other day, and I could have sworn they sang, “My grandmaw and your grandmaw…” Ah, the wonders of human hearing… ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/13 "2005-10-14T20:48:31Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > I saw the Dixie Cups do this song on the benefit concert the other day, and I could have sworn they sang, “My grandmaw and your grandmaw…” > > Ah, the wonders of human hearing… That’s the second verse. Hey, what version of this song is everyone listening to? The version I’m thinking of is The Belle Star’s from the Rain Man soundtrack. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/14 "2005-10-14T21:08:25Z")
I was asking about the original hit by The Dixie Cups. I know it’s been done a million times, but the only other version I know is by Dr. John. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/15 "2005-10-14T21:09:12Z")
Cyndi Lauper did a version, too. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/16 "2005-10-14T21:12:05Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Cyndi Lauper did a version, too. That’s the one on my iPod. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/17 "2005-10-14T21:12:21Z")
Why do I feel like the kid that went with the earlier, cheaper textbook in college? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/18 "2005-10-14T21:31:05Z")
I thought it was “Aiko Aiko”. Didn’t The Grateful Dead and/or Jerry Garcia do it, too? ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/19 "2005-10-14T21:48:06Z")
After hearing the Dixie Cups on NPR a week or so ago, I submitted a query to Cecil asking for a translation of the Afro-Cajun patois. Maybe this thread will attract his attention. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193/20 "2005-10-14T21:54:54Z")
I think I own at least three different versions of Iko Iko. Just wanted to say (and I’m starting my campaign with this post right here): Where is the Internet Music Database? You know, the one exactly like the IMDB, only about music. We need one. Desperately. Anybody knows how to fire up such a monumental task, feel free to e-mail me. We need an IMuDB. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iko-iko-whats-a-flag-boy/326193.md?page=2)