Boney M. was a German-Caribbean vocal group that specialized in disco and f… Read Full Bio ↴Boney M. was a German-Caribbean vocal group that specialized in disco and funk created by German record producer Frank Farian, who was the group's primary songwriter. Originally based in West Germany, the four original members of the group's official line-up were Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett from Jamaica, Maizie Williams from Montserrat, and Bobby Farrell from Aruba. The group was formed in 1976 and achieved popularity during the disco era of the late 1970s. Since the 1980s, various line-ups of the band have performed with differing personnel.

The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and is known for international hits including "Daddy Cool", "Ma Baker", "Belfast", "Sunny", "Rasputin", "Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord" and "Rivers of Babylon".

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boney_M.

Studio albums
Take the Heat off Me (1976)
Love for Sale (1977)
Nightflight to Venus (1978)
Oceans of Fantasy (1979)
Boonoonoonoos (1981)
Christmas Album (1981)
Ten Thousand Lightyears (1984)
Eye Dance (1985)

Plantation Boy
Boney M. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lots of people walk about proud and free
Lift up your head start looking around
There´s a brandnew feeling of liberty
Like a clear bell that´s starting to sound

Plantation boy
C´mon and get going
Yesterday´s chains have broken in two

Plantation boy
The new move is growing
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you
Plantation boy
Plantation boy

Lots of smiling faces for you to meet
So many hands to help you along
Just shake off the mud that weighs down your feet
If you stand tall you just can´t go wrong

Plantation boy
C´mon and get going
Yesterday´s chains have broken in two
Plantation boy
The new move is growing
Reaching the hills, the valleys and you
Plantation boy
Plantation boy

Years of picking cotton for little pay
Living alone in some wooden shack
Sweating in the heat of a summer´s day
This is all over, you won´t come back

Plantation boy

C´mon and get going
Yesterday´s chains have broken in two
Plantation boy
The new move is growing
Reaching the hills, the valleys and you
Plantation boy
Plantation boy

Plantation boy
C´mon and get going
Yesterday´s chains have broken in two
Plantation boy
The new move is growing
Reaching the hills, the valleys and you
Plantation boy
Plantation boy

Plantation boy
Plantation boy
Wherever you may go

Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...

Overall Meaning

Boney M.'s song, Plantation Boy, is a powerful anthem that sings of liberty, hope, and new beginnings. It exudes positivity and encourages its listeners to let go of the past and embrace the present. The song is an ode to the plantation workers who, for years, toiled under oppressive conditions and little or no pay. It speaks of their struggles, their undying spirit, and their eventual freedom.

The opening stanza of the song sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. It speaks of the new feeling of liberty that is permeating through the land. This is the freedom that the plantation workers have been fighting for. The chorus then invites the plantation boy to join the new move that is growing and spreading throughout the hills and valleys. It is an invitation to participate in the change that is taking place and to embrace the new possibilities.

The second stanza of the song is a call to action. It encourages the plantation boy to shake off the mud that weighs down his feet and to stand tall. It acknowledges that he has been through a lot of hardship, but reminds him that he has a lot of people who are willing to help him along the way. The last stanza of the song paints a picture of the plantation boy's previous life, picking cotton for little or no pay and living in a wooden shack. It reminds him that this is all over and that he will never have to go back to that life again.

Overall, Plantation Boy is a song that speaks of hope, freedom, and new beginnings. It is a reminder that no matter how hard life can get, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. It is a song that encourages its listeners to embrace change, stand tall, and never give up.

Line by Line Meaning

Lots of people walk about proud and free
There are many individuals walking around with a sense of pride and freedom.

Lift up your head start looking around
Raise your head and observe your surroundings.

There´s a brandnew feeling of liberty
There is a new feeling of freedom.

Like a clear bell that´s starting to sound
It is like a clear ringing, signaling change.

Plantation boy
A term used to describe someone who has lived and worked on a plantation all their life.

C´mon and get going
Begin moving forward with purpose.

Yesterday´s chains have broken in two
The enslavement of the past has been shattered.

The new move is growing
A new movement is emerging, gaining strength.

Reaching the hills and the valleys and you
This movement is spreading everywhere, even to the remote areas where you live.

Lots of smiling faces for you to meet
There are many friendly people waiting to meet you.

So many hands to help you along
There are numerous individuals ready and willing to assist you on your journey.

Just shake off the mud that weighs down your feet
Shake off the burden of the past that weighs you down.

If you stand tall you just can´t go wrong
If you remain resilient and determined, you will succeed.

Years of picking cotton for little pay
A history of picking cotton for minimal compensation.

Living alone in some wooden shack
Residing in an isolated, modest dwelling.

Sweating in the heat of a summer´s day
Enduring the hardships of hot summer days.

This is all over, you won´t come back
That life is behind you and you will not return.

Plantation boy
A term used to describe someone who has lived and worked on a plantation all their life.

Wherever you may go
Regardless of which direction you choose to take.

Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
A repetition of the idea that this change and movement is spreading everywhere, even to the isolated places where you live.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAY, KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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01Ma Baker4:34

02Love for Sale4:45

03Belfast2:24

04Have You Ever Seen the Rain2:37

05Gloria, Can You Waddle3:58

06Plantation Boy4:20

PT4M20S

Boney M.

07Motherless Child4:59

08Silent Lover4:13

09A Woman Can Change a Man3:31

10Still I'm Sad3:40

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@comprehensivethoughts2774

2y↑3

Lots of people walk about proud and free
Lift up your head start looking around
There's a brandnew feeling of liberty
Like a clear bell that's starting to sound
Plantation Boy
C'mon and get going
Yesterday's chains have broken in two
Plantation Boy
The new move is growing
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you
Plantation Boy
Plantation Boy
Lots of smiling faces for you to meet
So many hands to help you along
Just shake off the mud that weighs down your feet
If you stand tall you just can't go wrong
Plantation Boy
C'mon and get going
Yesterday's chains have broken in two
Plantation Boy
The new move is growing
Reaching the hills, the valleys and you
Plantation Boy
Plantation Boy
Years of picking cotton for little pay
Living alone in some wooden shack
Sweating in the heat of a summer's day
This is all over, you won't come back
Plantation Boy
C'mon and get going
Yesterday's chains have broken in two
Plantation Boy
The new move is growing
Reaching the hills, the valleys and you
Plantation Boy
Plantation Boy
Plantation Boy
C'mon and get going
Yesterday's chains have broken in two
Plantation Boy
The new move is growing
Reaching the hills, the valleys and you
Plantation Boy
Plantation Boy
Plantation Boy
Plantation Boy
Wherever you may go
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Reaching the hills and the valleys and you...
Source: Musixmatch

All comments from YouTube:

@CasparKangeto

40w↑8

This was my favourite back in the 80s .I still can listen to it these days

@butterpecan9749

40w

Absolutely

@kingsleysolomon9195

27w

you are right. So amazing songs

@sulimanikelemete9233

3y↑8

Im 49 years old this group Boney M was the greatest album I used to listen to from the time when i started hear their beatiful music

@butterpecan9749

40w↑4

Growing up Boney M. was my favorite… the marvelous, melodious, mesmerizing music … still holds strong in the hearts of the 80s boys & girls!!! Miss those days so much……….

@ngaforvedian1088

3y↑11

I remember my brother playing this song about 4 to 5 years ago. All I could remember was "plantation" in the song. I have been Searching for God knows how long. I'm so happy I found it. The song will never grow old for me. I love it!

@RemesioSuaia

1y↑2

I grew up in the beautiful pacific ocean in a remote village in a small country Solomon islands, boney M is my first taste of English and music, always best and beautiful, from the most beautiful band in the 80s.thank you.

@prachibather3910

36w

Great Sloman islands. i have coins and bank notes from your country.

@mwangelwasiluka4018

1y↑3

The Songs that heal hearts spiritually, they never get old to all generations.

@akachiezeigbo8731

22w↑1

Wonderful music!

@patrick180271

12y↑83

I'm 42 ,'Boney M' were the first group I loved in childhood,way back in the late 1970s-this recording is just so-o-o beautiful to hear! P.S Any other 40-something Boney M fans out there who just never stopped loving them?

@AFRICANBRO

8y↑9

me growing up in Africa they were big in the 70s (my Dad and Mon had records) and me growing up in the 80s as young boy, their songs were always bumping at every party and getogether....am 40 now, I still love them Liz's voice is Boney M.

@1658prosper

7y↑2

Patrick O'Connor the best group across the ages..and I'm 50..relish them and can go playing them over and over...just love Consuela Biaz

@Robylazarus

7y↑2

Patrick O'Connor .....Count me in Mr O Connor, if you evèr come to the sub continent, the beer is on me. Cheers.

@jameskigbu3264

7y↑5

I am here a huge fan and still listening in 2018, from Nigeria

@olgaorde4161

7y↑3

I am 50 in 4 days.

16 More Replies...

@sagateochiri4639

1y↑2

Plantation boy is the only thing I can understand in this song
I was about 12yrs old when this album was released. Now I am in my early 60s, still enjoying the song.. The Gods are really wise !!!

@gawajohn

3y↑9

PLANTATION BOY ,ONE OF THE GREATEST HIT !!!

@ryanxavier9242

4y↑3

My god i want to cry miss those beautiful days... ❤️😢

@Pian0Arpeggi0s

2y↑7

I have grown up with this song and when I realised the true meaning of this song I was so moved. Thank you Boney M 🎶

@martinikemefuna9313

What's the meaning bro?

@high16200

4y↑12

I was in my 20s when Boney M was launched at the time they were disco queens and we loved them ,I still do at the age of 66. they were amazing

@JamesDayoson-d8d

1y↑1

Boney M very lovely group of musician I love so much since early 80s

@debankur007

5y↑20

These songs will never get old..............golden age songs.........

@kirkmasterpiece

4y↑7

Liz Mitchel , what a great voice...
love it...

@onsasepaul55

49w↑1

This music reminds early 1978

@butterpecan9749

40w

No kidding… many memories are attached with these melodies!

@rezaabdul8595

8y↑37

I grew up with this Boney M song, it never failed to captivate and mesmerize me with their unique vocal and presentation. I will always love them!

@teihunlangkharngi6412

2y↑6

Legend is still a legend....👌

@rosamariewanjiru8659

3y↑4

My mum and dad played this when I was child. I didn't know what they said because I didn't understand English.

@legend4419

3y↑6

I really love boney m songs they are so sweet to hear

@nksharma2729

8y↑18

I am 62 and continue to enjoy their music since my very young age. They are awesome

@rajendrarodrigo3701

2y↑1

I am Rajendra 61. I love this

@manjuxavier6945

40w↑3

Listening in April 2024 ❤

@manojfernando1028

2y↑4

Beautiful song

@nellydre6845

31w↑1

This is 2024 I'm happy i found my way back to this masterpiece

@moffatsabango1238

8y↑40

Boney M remains a shining star , in the music domain of the 70s, and they managed to break the odds , and barriers in their quest to excel above their limits .The 70s was a difficult period of some us , people of the black colour, and this was a time when racial intolerance, and civil liberties was , so strongly advocated by us.The world fought so vigorously to acknowledge that blacks also could sing like , the Beatles, WHO, Air supply and many of the groups, by that time.The song really tells the pains and misery that the plantation boy saw on these plantations of the west indies.

@fQsfHi

6y↑3

Are you kidding me? In the late seventies everybody loved black singers, white European studios promoted these guys, for pete's sake! Go with your social justice warrior crap elsewhere.

@kudakwashe715

6y↑3

@@fQsfHiThe European studios also profited from promoting black singers. The singers didn't get as much from the profits. Pretty sure I read that somewhere. They don't do it for no reason other than $$$$$.

@jeremiahhosea1140

Word ⬆️ www.Earthdriver.org

@helloskinny510

5y↑1

Well. I think this song is rather a celebration of the liberation of black people from slavery. Is not a complain about social injusticies or something negative. The spirit of the song exactly the contrary. The message is here is positive and warm. That is what makes this song so special.

@urvindersingh1234

6y↑13

My dad got this cassette for me from England in 1979......love it miss it

@naijanistan

5y↑2

I got a dancing award at the end of the school year party dancing to this beautiful tune. It reminds me of how the good old days were.

@graphicsRat

5y↑19

The soundrack to my childhood (brings me close to tears)

@rejiantony3574

Same feeling for me too

@johnsonc5702

Me tooooo, my 8th9th10th classes in school. I feel an unknown emotion when listening these boney M songs now. Tears, but don't know y. Realized how deeply liked boney M. I love this band, really.

@TheGiftspritz

6y↑8

My brother and I grew up listening to this in Germany. We would sit in my aunts apartment and listen to this album and I believe Night Flight to Venus! I love them. And Lady Gaga uses Ma Baker as a mix

@simeon.nobialor6228

3y↑1

An ever classic, plantation boy -Abba.

@altairgomes-f7i

18w

Lindo demais ❤❤❤

@maziclinton1890

12y↑12

What a moment and how time flies in 1978 this song was something else till this time it reminds of of those wonderful happy days,

@switchex

Mazi Clinton? Persian first name with a western last name., very interesting, where are you from?

@helloskinny510

@MUSIC WORLD VISION Usually until the 90s, when an album was released a year, it songs became a hit until the next year

@comprehensivethoughts2774

2y↑3

@sujithjohnson4694

Well done! ❤

@luisinigo6604

5y↑3

maravilloso!!!,cuando uno escucha las voces de estas morenitas,te hacen parecer que estas en el cielo,voces que llevo en mi ser desde el esplendor de mis jovenes años 💖💖💖

@raphaelfernandez7941

1y↑1

Trop beau super groupe toute mon enfance

@LoLo-rk8ve

6y↑7

Boney M was a unique team

@misterofsound1756

4y↑1

But why those sex photos as albumcover?

@christinetivaknoa7252

4y↑3

One of Boney M's best songs

@krisa990

4y↑1

I agree..

@theacechip

2y↑1

It is difficult to point out really "bad" songs with this group. There might be few, but most of them are really good (apart from being popular of course). Huge part of the growing up years for most of us who are between 45-55.

@chinjeehong

5y↑4

its beautiful song. remind me when i just a child. i love boney m

@kirkmasterpiece

4y↑1

owhhhh....now i'm back to 80's

@suitwapo

27w

Best band ever, please people, the song is from 1977 not the 80’s and love Liz her voice

@catherineyael8038

3y↑2

NY Day 2022 & I'm still in love with this song❤🇫🇯

@onsasepaul55

49w

Be blessed Catherine

@onsasepaul55

49w

This song really enters deep in my bone's marrow and causes leakage, waaaa!!!

@missemenv4635

8y↑5

J'ai découvert ce groupe à travers mes parents. Et j'ai tout de suite accroché. musique qui traverse les années

@szabolcsvarga3118

3y↑1

Az a teeenager in the 90s i was in love with her voice :)

@amamazama6587

30w

🎉when I was child m'y father playing this song I will listen this song always

@lesterlungu6222

9y↑12

Sparks out memories of things that mattered in life.

@kingsleysolomon9195

So lovely then till now wow

@kingsleysolomon9195

27w

So amazing in the 80s

@kirkmasterpiece

4y↑1

sweet memories my childhood days....

@marinapodaderaarcal6951

5y↑4

Esto era musica POP y no lo de ahora.Cuantos nostalgicos recuerdos

@pvinmen1612

4y↑1

This guess is also for those who work in plantations good song first I heard of boney m was in 79 80 in school

@kaburahegerard5695

4y↑1

les années ou danser le rock était une prouesse, pour les adolescents de l époque, boney m sortait des tubes super

@juditbarczi8220

7y↑6

I love this song

@antonynjeru

2y↑1

2022 and still my coolant

@dumilejele6550

8y↑1

To my dad,Cinos Harrison Jele,the memories of you are hazy,but deep in my heart, hold you in the highest of esteems,God took you away from usin 1972, when we were so young to know what life was and is all about about,but ,be proud where you are resting,for you married a very strong woman who took care of us to be who we are in life today,by the way,THANK Matshabangu,for being the best mom .Love you

@64214Jose

11w

Esta canción tiene la virtud de ponerme contento. 😀😀😀❤

@BanpynskhemWahlang-u2u

I'm give proud this love song from one person of Indian country meghalaya state South West khasi hills

@xaviervinod6065

3y↑2

Listening in January 2022

@kellybindickou5395

9y↑8

ah Boney M , toute mon enfance en Afrique.
Que du bonheur!!

@k-diagnoza5211

без обиды, пожалуйста А ведь это было время, когда выходцы из Африки по всему миру абсолютно легально назывались "неграми" и это не было оскорблением, а только обозначением расовой принадлежности. Меня можете и сейчас хоть 1000 раз назвать европейцем/белым/бледнолицым и я на это ни чуть не обижусь.
Que du bonheur (с)

@elainecameron7660

4y↑1

Absolute classic!💖

@shadrabeharry9052

6y↑1

My oh my Boni M voice is so haunting could never stop listening to her.

@aboubacarkillo5140

6y↑4

So sad when i lisening this song remind me my father he was so young playing this song love you dady

@raulquiroz775

3y↑1

My childhood

@peteredward2547

6y↑1

i love their bassline to their...very grovvy n discoish. they songs brings memories when i seven years old...1982....

@17thUnicorn

Same here Peter!

@MrGrayGarden

7y↑7

I love music because of Bonny M...

@moffatsabango1238

8y↑5

Boney M-- another sad forgotten epic assembly of once a great music outfit in the 70s, it was combination of diverse, sweet voices, that produced these songs : rivers of Babylon , rusptin, no women no cry, Belfast and plantation boy.. Iam sure many of us are trying to come to terms with the,band, who now into oblivion, and nothing is heard of them, anyone to update us , where on this planet earth they are.Are they dead or they reached their 80s or 90s years..Lastly Iam informed that some of them are married, and separated as band members, that is all about life. From the Zambezi valley Binga District , Zimbabwe..

@sgillman16

6y↑1

Moffat Sabango
Bobby Farrell died in 2010 in Russia.
Marcia has had cancer twice but is in remission and just released her autobiography last year and does charity stuff.
Liz is still touring and making solo albums with her official Frank approved lineup and doing interviews a lot and writing books.
Maizie thinks she's a princess, even though she never sang on the albums, and tours with her fake Boney M., and sells her own line of perfume I think.
I don't know about Reggie though

@sgillman16

6y↑1

And Frank Farian is doing who knows what.
He's a billionaire.
He's living in Florida and also owns some crappy mansion that he ignores and looks like it was abandoned 700 years ago.
(The people that live on that block say it's an eye sore)
He recently had a warrant issued for his arrest in Germany for failing to appear in court for a lawsuit, so he can't go back to Germany. Lol

@taiwoabiodun9197

5y↑7

Till I die III be playing Boney M

@shamitachakrabarti8999

6y↑3

Remembering my childhood days .

@aronathiam3294

c est une fois par siècle qu on voit ce genre de groupe

@pelle9114

16w

Ich glaube ich habe den Song das letzte mal so mit 15 Jahren gehört. Jetzt bin ich 58. Es ist nicht der Tophit von Boney M aber trotzdem schön. Ich bin wieder Teeny 🙂

@sgillman16

16w

@@pelle9114 hello!
I only speak English

@dormidont555

8y↑23

Nostalgy...

@OnaabaRobinson-tk9xw

My favorite plantation boy

@MondayPhilberteliab

12w

True for only the legends

@mahermohammad3998

12y↑5

my favourite song since i kid....

@ndkpak

5y↑1

Remember this whole album in 70s, it was huge all over east

@truongson2602

3y↑1

Good.❤️❤️❤️

@mirbegg1346

5y↑2

Part of my life.

@vuk1973july

6y↑1

I had this vynil!!!! Boney M -LEGENDS OF REGAE MUSIC!!!:-))))

@krisa990

I would call it disco...

@sgillman16

12y↑5

its on the album "Love For Sale"

@himaxize

12y↑2

i;ve always love boney m. wonderful group.

@fQsfHi

6y↑3

Always loved Eurodisco much more then American, it's so melodic!

@helloskinny510

Very true. American disco was annoying. Eurodisco was much better, very cheerful and melodic

@medetkarataev5749

3y↑1

Моя одна из самых любимых групп .Марсия Беррет . Мэйзи Уильямс . Элизабет Миттчел.и конечно Бобби Фарел и несравненный эмприссарио Фрэнк Мариан.

@takcsattila3

11y↑11

thank you for uploading this great music :)

@sgillman16

6y↑1

You are welcome

@marcosadrianochicatto6476

6y↑12

2019 anyone ?!?!?!?!?

@vctor45

6y↑2

no mobile, no internet - but lot of good songs..

@danielasvantnerova6631

6y↑3

Plantation Boy prekrasna piesen od super skupiny Boney M

@zenoegri3600

7y↑4

Nice

@sebastiaovitorlucianolucia9733

9y↑5

saudade do tempo da discoteca... tempo bom.

@williamsgreg2598

15w

Watching in 2024

@lucasvilchesmontiel2883

9y↑6

que buena música !!!!!

@elextuikadavu4691

Nice song 😍😍

@zenoegri3600

5y↑2

Favourite :)

@pinkyparu9555

5y↑1

Boney m are king no challenge

@andrewonuh9515

3y↑1

Plantation boy videos

@lawrencenjekete5455

6y↑5

Yesterday 's chains have broken in two....

@mohamedalivallooth3951

Very nice song.send the lyrics pls

@iyam3833

5y↑2

THE CHAINS HAVE BROKEN!!! YAAAAAAAYYYYYY

@GloriaSombo-kd5lp

13w

Who is listening in 2024?

@sajithomas5179

6y↑1

Love BoneyM

@JonasAbbiati-w1e

Bonei m só musicas gantasticas eles deveriam ser mais lembrados!

@jeremiahhosea1140

5y↑4

Bizarre album album cover. Heck of a tune.

@helloskinny510

I think the album cover was a little ironic depicting the girls chained. Good thing is that the same album contains "Plantation Boy" talking about breaking chains.