“In the mid-1950s . . . Danny Barker put out four sides of Mardi Gras Indian related material originally on King Zulu Records. Whether Barker was attempting to make a popular Mardi Gras hit from Indian sources is not known but may be the case. With these releases, the Indian prayer “Indian Red” was first recorded as “My Indian Red” with lyrics close to what is sung today.”

—Thomas L Morgan, from an essay on the web, Mardi Gras Indian Influence on the Music of New Orleans, 2002. I heard Dr. John’s version on the radio in New Orleans yesterday. It’s a roll call of indian chiefs, and must be heard to be believed. (This is at least partially because I can’t find the lyrics on this internet nohow!)