Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow (Born May 9, 1914 in Brooklyn, Queens County, N… Read Full Bio ↴Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow (Born May 9, 1914 in Brooklyn, Queens County, Nova Scotia; died December 20, 1999) was a Canadian country music singer-songwriter.
Perhaps best known for his distinct yodelling, he charted more than seventy singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980, including the Number One hits 'I'm Movin' On' and 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'. Performing in lavish and colourful sequin-studded suits, Snow had a career covering six decades during which he sold more than 80 million albums, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1979.

THERE IS A HANK SNOW MUSEUM CLOSE TO BROOKLYN IN LIVERPOOL, NOVA SCOTIA, APPROPRIATELY, IT IS HOUSED IN AN ABANDONED TRAIN STATION. VERY WELL DONE
I reckon Hank Snow was better known for his distinctive self taught guitar style. Hank was influenced by the famous Rail road blues singer Jimmie Rodgers and though Hank did copy Rodgers style in his early days, including the "blue yodel" he later abandoned this and developed his own gritty style of singing. His guitar playing was so good he once cut a duet album of guitar music with the late Chet Atkins, master country Guitarist and music producer for RCA Victor. Hank was with RCA Victor label for almost 50 years and towards the end of his waning career RCA dropped him, just before he would have celebrated his half century with that label-always thought that was a bit mean of them.. Hank Snow and his Rainbow ranch boys, with Chubby Hayes on fiddle gave really great live concerts and the singing and playing they did was superlative and sounded as good as, if not equal to their recorded works.

Jamaica Farewell
Hank Snow Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Down the way where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down my head is turnin' around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls swayin' to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Although I've been from Maine to Mexico
But I'm sad to say

Down at the market you can hear ladies
Cry out while on their heads they bear
Ackey rice salt fish are nice

And the sun is fine anytime of the year
But I'm sad to say

Overall Meaning

Hank Snow's song "Jamaica Farewell" is a nostalgic ballad about leaving behind a loved one in Kingston town, Jamaica. The opening lines of the song, "Down the way where the nights are gay, and the sun shines daily on the mountain top," conjure up images of a paradise-like setting. The singer then describes his journey to Jamaica on a sailing ship, where he encounters the sounds of laughter and sees dancing girls. It is clear that he has fallen in love with the country and its people, and declares that although he has traveled from Maine to Mexico, his heart is in Jamaica.

However, the singer is sad to announce that he must leave Jamaica and the girl he loves behind. The lines "My heart is down my head is turnin' around, I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town" reveal the emotional turmoil he is experiencing. The final verse describes the bustling market, where the singer hears women selling ackee rice and salt fish, and praises the year-round sunshine. Despite the beauty and allure of Jamaica, he must leave.

Overall, "Jamaica Farewell" is a poignant and beautifully crafted song that captures the heartache of leaving behind a cherished person or place. Through the singer's descriptions of the island's natural beauty and culture, the song celebrates the joys of travel, while acknowledging the sadness that often accompanies it.

Line by Line Meaning

Down the way where the nights are gay
I ventured to a place where the evenings were joyous

And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
The sun appeared every day at the peak of the mountain

I took a trip on a sailing ship
I traveled on a ship with sails

And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
I halted at Jamaica's port

But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Regrettably, I am departing shortly

Won't be back for many a day
I shall be gone for an extended period

My heart is down my head is turnin' around
My spirits are low and feeling dizzy

I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I was compelled to depart without the girl I love in Kingston town

Sounds of laughter everywhere
Giggles could be heard all over

And the dancing girls swayin' to and fro
Girls moved to and fro in their dance

I must declare my heart is there
I must assert that my heart is in Jamaica