"Hawaiian War Chant" is an American popular song whose original melody and lyrics were written in the 1860s by Prince Leleiohoku.
It was not written as a chant, and the Hawaiian lyrics describe a clandestine meeting between two lovers, not a battle.
[2] English lyrics by Ralph Freed were written in 1936 and the melody changed somewhat at that time by Johnny Noble.
[3] In a 1942 performance, Dorsey's band featured drummer Buddy Rich and trumpeter Ziggy Elman for this song.
[4] The song was featured in the 1942 film Ship Ahoy starring Eleanor Powell, Red Skelton and the Tommy Dorsey Band.