I’m very taken with this song and Gogol Bordello in general. The riff was originally an Italian folk tune called Tromba degli Zingari.
I play this riff with the A string ringing throughout to give it a bit more weight on the uke. I use my thumb to play the melody notes and my ring finger to play the continuous A note.
Gogol!!! Thanks! just in time for their manchester gig on the 16th!! Thanks woodshed!