Where Dead Voices Gather:”Indian War Whoop” is an energetic up-tempo number. It features the sound of Rozelle Ming’s stomping feet (a sound that gave the Pep-Steppers their name). Rozelle had initially declined to stomp her feet during the recording session, fearing that the sound would get in the way of the music. Producer Ralph Peer is credited with insisting on the sound of stomping feet. In his notes, Smith points out that the sound of drumming feet is rare outside of religious music. This number is the second on the “Social Music” volume to feature the sound of the human voice. The voice likely belongs to Hoyt Ming, although the higher voice may be Rozelle’s. In his notes, Smith remarks that the title “Indian War Whoop” was not indicative of any Native American influence, but rather “Romanticism akin to that of ‘western’ movies.” Hoyt Ming’s fiddling is wild and (possibly deliberately) primitive. A version of “Indian War Whoop” was recorded by the late John Hartford for inclusion in the Coen Brother’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? The song is used in scene in which a mob is carrying off gangster George “Babyface” Nelson (Michael Badalucco).
Wikipedia: It was conceived as a song that sponge divers would sing when traveling with their caïque boats across the seas. The song’s lyricscontain words of encouragement and the opportunity awaiting the crew.[1]
One of the most notable recordings is that performed by Pantelis Ginis, a Kalymnian sponge diver captain, who, in his version, is making a reference to another respected diver captain, Manolis (Emmanuel) Theodosiou, whose nickname was ‘Kobalis’. Ginis, in his version, relates the time Kobalis walked into a coffee shop where Ginis was singing Darla dirladada.
Featured photo from Rodiaki.gr