Ko-Ko Joe is a song written and recorded by American country artist Jerry Reed.
It was released in August 1971 as the lead single from the album of the same name, Ko-Ko Joe.
As the locals seem to tell it, he's a long-haired, dirty-clothed survivalist who drinks homemade brew and eats exotic meats.
Reminiscent of the 'maligned' character's 'redemption' found in Hank Williams' 1953 song, "Be Careful of Stones That You Throw" (in that case a woman), the third verse tells us about the day (one year before the song's telling), when the dam on the river burst, washing away everything in its path.
We learn from the headlines of that day about a mother who told of how Ko-Ko pulled her son from the flood waters, saving the boy's life.