Hawaiian War Chant

"Hawaiian War Chant" was an American popular song whose original melody and lyrics were written sometime in the 1860s by Prince Leleiohoku. The original title of the song was Kaua I Ka Huahua`i or "We Two in the Spray." It was not written as a chant, and the Hawaiian lyrics describe a clandestine meeting between two lovers, not a battle. The English title therefore has nothing to do with the song as it was originally written and performed in Hawaii.

Arranged many years ago for the Bakers Dozen of Yale by a friend of the director, Dick Peaslee.

Lyrics:
There's a sunny little, funny little melody
That was started by a native down in Waikiki
He would gather a crowd down beside the sea
And they'd play his gay Hawaiian Chant

Soon the other little natives started singin' it
And the hula hula maidens starting swingin' it
Like a tropical storm that's the way it hit
Funny little gay Hawaiian chant

Ow way tah
Tualan

Tho it started on an island down Hawaii way
It's as popular in Tennessee or Ioway
If you wander into any cabaret
You will hear this gay Hawaiian chant

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hawaii
• Blue of a Kind
• Bakers Dozen
• Richard Peaslee