Hawaiian War Chant
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Hawaiian War Chant was an American popular song whose original melody was written in 1860 by Prince Leleiohaku as Kaua i ka Huahua'i or "We Two in the Spray." English lyrics by Ralph Freed were added in 1936 and the melody changed somewhat at that time by Johnny Noble.
The song was later featured in the 1942 film Ship Ahoy starring Eleanor Powell, Red Skelton and the Tommy Dorsey Band.
A huge success and a crowd favorite in Hawaiian resorts even today. Singer Hilo Hattie used it extensively in her own shows, singing it at three different speeds with the claim that Leleiohaku wrote it about two palace lovers who met in secret. She also credited comedy bandleader Spike Jones for popularizing an uptempo comedic version of the song. Since 1963, the Hawaiian War Chant has served as the finale in the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction at Disneyland.
In 1957, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded the comedic "Me Rock-a-Hula" which was based upon the "Hawaiian War Chant" melody.
In the 1994 Disney animated film The Lion King, the character Timon (voiced by Nathan Lane) performs this song with changed lyrics.
The Michigan Marching Band currently plays this song, following the song Temptation, as part of their traditional post game events because "you can't have one without the other".
[edit] Hawaiian lyrics
- Tahuwai la a tahuwai wai la
- Ehu hene la a pili koo lua la
- Pututui lu a ite toe la
- Hanu lipo ita paalai
- Au we ta huala
- Au we ta huala
- Tahuwai la a tahuwai wai la
- Ehu hene la a pili koo lua la
- Pututui lu a ite toe la
- Hanu lipo ita paalai
- Au we ta huala
- Au we ta huala
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