Hawaiian War Chant lyrics (Ta-Hu-Wa-Ha-Hai) (1936) music by Johnny Noble and Prince Leleiohoku (based on Prince Leleiohaku’s 1860 song, “Kaua i ka Huahua’i” ( “We Two in the Spray”), performed in Ship Ahoy by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra with Buddy Rich on drums, Danced by Eleanor Powell and chorus girls
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 together they’d play his gay Hawaiin 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
Me big bad
Fightin’ man
Though 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
Ow way tah
Tualan
Me big bad
Fightin’ man
Tahuwai la a tahuwai wai la
Ehu hene la a pili koo lua la
Pututui lu a ite toe la
Hanu lipo ita paalai
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
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
