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.
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Bally Mena
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
Brothers we were and brothers we'll be
To the ship Bally Mena you gave your best
But a raging sea laid your soul to rest
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
No more to hear, to hear the tale
Of how you tamed a mighty whale
And the girl who waited so patiently
Will walk no more by the sea
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
And paint the Bally Mena black
The song "Bally Mena" by Harry Belafonte tells the story of a ship with the same name that was lost at sea, and the grief felt by those who knew and loved the crew. The chorus repeats the name of the ship and implores for it to be brought to the dock and painted black, likely as a symbol of mourning. The verses focus on the personal connections to the crew and the impact of their loss. The first verse describes the close bond between the singer (likely a farmer) and the sailors who would have transported their goods. The second verse references the crew's bravery and the loss of a loved one who waited for them by the sea.
The lyrics of this song capture the sorrow and longing that comes with the loss of someone important, and the repetition of the ship's name reinforces its significance in the lives of those left behind. The use of black as a mourning color also supports this theme.
Line by Line Meaning
Bally Mena, Bally Mena, Bally Mena in the harbor
Repeatedly chanting the name of the ship, Bally Mena, which currently resides in the harbor.
Bring the Bally Mena to the dock
Requesting for the ship, Bally Mena, to be brought to the dock.
And paint the Bally Mena black
Suggesting that the ship be painted black, possibly as a symbol of mourning.
Brothers we were and brothers we'll be
Emphasizing the strong bond between oneself and another individual, who share a brotherly relationship.
I till the soil and you sail the sea
Describing the different professions held by the artist and the other person, one who works on the land while the other travels on water.
To the ship Bally Mena you gave your best
Referring to the other person's dedication and hard work put into the ship, Bally Mena.
But a raging sea laid your soul to rest
Indicating that the other person died tragically while sailing on the rough waters.
No more to hear, to hear the tale
Expressing the sadness of never being able to hear the other person's stories, possibly about their adventures at sea.
Of how you tamed a mighty whale
Referencing one of the stories that the other person used to tell, of how they conquered a powerful creature of the sea.
And the girl who waited so patiently
Mentioning a girl who had been eagerly anticipating the other person's return, but will now never see them again.
Will walk no more by the sea
Implying that the girl's dreams and hopes, which were tied to the other person's return, will no longer come to fruition.
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dipankar Sen
This is such a beautiful, haunting song.An absolute pearl sung with so much emotion .Salute the great Harry Belafonte. Brings back childhood memories
Stella Louwrens
Oh! Brings back precious memories of my first love who used to sing it to me!! BEAUTIFUL!!! And ALWAYS remembered with such fond memories!!
Supriya Dasgupta
absolutely
Somnath Banerjee
How melodious! one of the best song in my stocks. The great singer Harry Bela fonte.
Jen Cin
Thanks for adding this great album. Hope it stays!
Martin De Wilde
nice melody... nice song... nice composition... great arrangement... great performance by a great singer... mooi... schön... bellissimo... beautiful... baie mooj... bella cansion... bella canzone... magnifique chanson...
Märta H.
When this would come on people fell silent and danced to this over and over. Things were scary in those times, and the song drew us close, I guess.
Iony Popescu
a song unforgettable! awesome!
Murray Callahan
My favorite of his songs. 🥰
Benjamin Klugah-Brown
i can stand on my feet and say that Belafonte is the best in story songs