^^^^^
That was fascinating, Barry; thanks for posting it. I've been meaning to look up the meaning of the lyrics. I love anything related to language, etymology, etc.
That's precisely why I posted that video, Kathy. The author researched the topic very well. He was in error at the end when he wrote that Creoles and Indians have left New Orleans forever. They're still there.
Now that is bizarre. To me, they sound identical.
Anyone listening to both recordings would agree. The courts awarded James Crawford shared songwriting credit. This was one insult heaped on another.
The Indian chants James Crawford heard at Mardi Gras went something like this...
James Crawford wrote a melody to the chants he heard.
The Dixie Cups' Iko Iko "songwriters," Barbara Hawkins, Rosa Hawkins and Joan Johnson, clearly plagiarized James Crawford's song.