Island In the Sun
Belafonte Harry Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand

As morning breaks the heaven on high
I lift my heavy load to the sky
Sun comes down with a burning glow
Mingles my sweat with the earth below

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand

I see woman on bended knee
Cutting cane for her family
I see man at the waterside
Casting nets at the surging tide

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand

I hope the day will never come
When I can't awake to the sound of drum
Never let me miss carnival
With calypso songs philosophical

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand

Ooh
Ooh




Ooh
Ooh

Overall Meaning

The song "Island in the Sun" by Harry Belafonte is a joyful and celebratory tribute to the beauty and vibrancy of life on a Caribbean island. The lyrics reflect the singer's deep connection to his island home that was passed on to him by his father. He expresses his gratitude for the natural abundance of the island, such as its forests, waters, and shining sand, which he cherishes and praises. The song expresses the singer's unbridled love for his home and his determination to celebrate and preserve its natural beauty.


The opening lines, "Oh, island in the sun, willed to me by my father's hand," underscore the importance of tradition and legacy in the culture of the Caribbean. The reference to the father's hand suggests a sacred, ancestral bond between the singer and his island home. As the song progresses, the verses describe scenes of everyday life on the island, such as the hard work of cane-cutting and fishing, which are performed with joy and pride. The songwriter is deeply connected to the experiences of his people, as he sings about their daily struggles and their cherished moments of joy and celebration.


The chorus of the song, "All my days I will sing in praise of your forest, waters, your shining sand," celebrates the beauty and natural riches of the island, and the verses that follow reveal a wish for a life full of music and festivity. In the final lines, the repetition of the refrain and the word "ooh" signify a deep sense of belonging and happiness. Overall, Harry Belafonte's "Island in the Sun" is a joyful celebration of the beauty, richness and vibrancy of life on a Caribbean island, and serves as a testament to the culture and heritage of the people who call it home.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, island in the sun
The singer is addressing the island that is always warm and bright.


Willed to me by my father's hand
The island has been inherited by the singer from their father.


All my days I will sing in praise
The singer will always appreciate and admire the island.


Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
The singer cherishes everything about the island, including the forest, the water, and the glittering sand.


As morning breaks the heaven on high
As the morning starts, the sky looks beautiful.


I lift my heavy load to the sky
The singer is starting their day by doing something laborious.


Sun comes down with a burning glow
The sun is shining very brightly.


Mingles my sweat with the earth below
The singer's sweat is mixing with the soil.


I see woman on bended knee
The singer is observing a woman who is working hard.


Cutting cane for her family
The hardworking woman is cutting sugar cane to provide for her family.


I see man at the waterside
The singer is watching a man by the sea.


Casting nets at the surging tide
The man is actively working by casting nets into the sea during high tide.


I hope the day will never come
The singer is expressing their desire for something to not happen.


When I can't awake to the sound of drum
The singer always wants to be woken up by the sound of drums.


Never let me miss carnival
The singer never wants to miss the carnival celebration.


With calypso songs philosophical
The singer always wants to enjoy the thoughtful calypso music played during the festivities.




Lyrics Β© Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Irving Burgie, Harry Belafonte

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@Jessica-zf2df

Who's watching this in 2024?

@bernadettekelly8165

Me ❀❀❀ Beautiful ❀❀❀

@teddystauffer4614

πŸ‡·πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ

@nahomelias2237

Here in 2024... U r an amazing person

@mrwong3393

I was sing this song in1989 singing contests. I got 3rd place.

@Jessica-zf2df

@@mrwong3393 well done

2 More Replies...

@Jotunhammer2011

Rest in peace master, your songs will always be with us, you have flown to the island in the sun

@stephaniejordan9066

😐

@maria89581

Harry for ever RIP

@JohnDoe-zr6bk

May he now sail to his eternal island in the sun in peace to enjoy forever at the hand of his creator.

More Comments

More Versions