Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing the "Banana Boat Song", with its signature lyric "Day-O". Throughout his career, he was an advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes.
Belafonte won three Grammy Awards (including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. In 1989, he received the Kennedy Center Honors. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994. In 2014, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy's 6th Annual Governors Awards and in 2022 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Early Influence category and was the oldest living person to have received the honor.
http://singyoursongthemovie.com
Annabelle Lee
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh the moon never beams
Without bringing me dreams
Of my beautiful Annabelle Lee
And the stars never rise
But I see the bright eyes
Of my beautiful Annabelle Lee
Were never apart for I gave her my heart
She gave her heart to me
And I love with a love
That is more than just love
My adorable Annabelle Lee
Yes he gave his warm heart to sweet Annabelle Lee
For he loved her so dearly you see
To think of her charms
Have been here in my arms
To think she loves only me
Heaven offers no more,
Ive been there before
In the arms of my Annabelle Lee
Annabelle Lee
The song Annabelle Lee by Harry Belafonte is a poetic ode to his love interest who left him heartbroken. The lyrics revolve around how he still thinks about his love "Annabelle Lee" all the time. He says that the moon never shines without bringing him dreams of her, and the stars never rise without him seeing her bright eyes. Harry Belafonte's lyrics demonstrate how enamored he was by Annabelle Lee, he believed that they were never apart as he gave her his heart, and she gave hers to him.
The song speaks of a love that is more than just love and is deep-rooted. The imagery in the song's lyrics creates a romantic and dreamy atmosphere that highlights the depth of his love towards Annabelle Lee. In the second verse, the song explores the idea that heaven offers no more as Harry Belafonte had already experienced paradise in the arms of Annabelle Lee. He seems to be holding onto memories of her as he reflects on her charms that were once only in his arms, and the idea that she may still only love him.
Overall, Annabelle Lee is a touching song that showcases the artist's emotional breadth and depth of feelings for a past love. The lyrics explore the idea that sometimes even in heartbreak, it is the memories and intense feelings of love that continue to thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
Annabelle Lee, Annabelle Lee
The singer is addressing his beloved woman Annabelle Lee, repeating her name as an expression of his intense feelings for her.
Oh the moon never beams
The sight of the moon always reminds the singer of Annabelle Lee, bringing back memories of his love for her.
Without bringing me dreams
The dreams the singer has of Annabelle Lee come with the appearance of the moon, as he longs to be reunited with her.
Of my beautiful Annabelle Lee
The artist emphasizes the beauty and preciousness of his lover, suggesting that she is someone very special to him.
And the stars never rise
The stars appearing in the night sky also trigger the artist's memories and thoughts of Annabelle Lee, a reminder of their romantic love.
But I see the bright eyes
The singer's thoughts of Annabelle Lee are so vivid that he can visualize her bright, shining eyes whenever he sees the stars.
Of my beautiful Annabelle Lee
Repeating the same line twice reinforces the singer's longing for Annabelle Lee and how much she occupies his thoughts.
Were never apart for I gave her my heart
The artist gave his heart to Annabelle Lee, and that bond between them has never broken despite any physical distance or time apart.
She gave her heart to me
Annabelle Lee reciprocated the artist's feelings by giving him her own heart, creating a deep connection and commitment between them.
And I love with a love
The artist's love for Annabelle Lee is not just an ordinary feeling, but a powerful and all-encompassing passion.
That is more than just love
The singer's love for Annabelle Lee goes beyond traditional romantic love and becomes a transcendent force that defines their relationship.
My adorable Annabelle Lee
The artist once again expresses his admiration and fondness for Annabelle Lee, emphasizing how special she is to him and how much he adores her.
Yes he gave his warm heart to sweet Annabelle Lee
The singer's love for Annabelle Lee is so great that he gave her the most precious thing he had: his heart.
For he loved her so dearly you see
The singer's deep feelings for Annabelle Lee are evident in how much he treasured her and how much he talks about her in the song.
To think of her charms
The singer can't help but think of Annabelle Lee's attractive qualities and how much he is drawn to her because of them.
Have been here in my arms
The artist is reminiscing about holding Annabelle Lee in his arms, indicating that they were physically close at some point during their romance.
To think she loves only me
The artist's joy and satisfaction come from knowing that Annabelle Lee's love is for him alone, reinforcing the special bond between them.
Heaven offers no more,
The singer believes that his love for Annabelle Lee is the highest and most fulfilling experience he could ever have, surpassing anything that heaven could offer him.
Ive been there before
The singer is confident in his love for Annabelle Lee because he has felt its power before, suggesting that they have been together for some time.
In the arms of my Annabelle Lee
The artist derives great comfort and happiness from being embraced by and holding Annabelle Lee, emphasizing how much he loves and cherishes her.
Annabelle Lee
The final repetition of her name further cements Annabelle Lee as the central figure in the artist's life and the focal point of his love and devotion.
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
HMR Project
This album was likely released in 1959. A few of the tracks were recorded as early as 1950, including this one with the Belafonte Singers, interspersed with others with the Islanders. Unable to give references since one can't leave web addresses in comments.
lrh1966
Thanks for the info. on this record. I was dating it by sources I also found when I added these here, and I will look again into more info. Thanks for listening to this Harry B. LP recording...Friends, Lloyd.
ben de hond
This was in the early years ! I guess 1950 to 1953
ben de hond
You're welcome
lrh1966
I never heard these early Belafonte songs until I got this album. Thanks for checking it out.
Edda Simon
❤️the early HB too❤️🌹🍀
lrh1966
Thanks again Edda for checking out these Harry Belafonte songs and have a great day from Lloyd.