Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in Harlem, NYC, on 1 Ma… Read Full Bio ↴Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in Harlem, NYC, on 1 March 1927; died 25 April 2023) was an American singer, activist, and actor. As arguably the most successful Caribbean-American pop star, he popularized Jamaican mento folk songs which was marketed as Trinbagonian Calypso musical style with an international audience in the 1950s. His breakthrough album Calypso, released in 1956, was the first million-selling LP by a single artist.

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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Bella Rosa
Harry Belafonte Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Each Sunday morning at breaking of day
A most lovely creature she passes my way
I stand at my window to catch her eye
But her head never turns as she passes me by

Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa
What is this feeling that harms me so
Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa

Soon you must love me or let me go

As I wander around through the country side
There's many a girl that would be my bride
But always before the vows I can say
Her image returns and she draws me away
Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa
What is this feeling that harms me so

Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa
Soon you must love me or let me go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Harry Belafonte's song "Bella Rosa" tell the story of a man captivated by the beauty of a woman named Bella Rosa. Every Sunday morning, he waits by his window, hoping for her attention, yet she never acknowledges his presence. Despite this, he cannot help but feel a deep affection for her.

The chorus of the song expresses the singer's inner turmoil. He questions the intense emotion he feels for Bella Rosa, which seems to both enchant and harm him. He longs for her to reciprocate his love or release him from this torment.

The second verse reveals that, although there are other women who could become his bride, he cannot commit to any of them. Bella Rosa's image keeps pulling him back, preventing him from moving forward in any other relationship. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's longing for resolution, urging Bella Rosa to either love him or let him go.

Overall, "Bella Rosa" portrays the bittersweet experience of unrequited love and the internal struggle it creates. The singer finds himself unable to move on from Bella Rosa, even though she does not acknowledge his existence.

Line by Line Meaning

Each Sunday morning at breaking of day
Every Sunday morning, as the sun rises

A most lovely creature she passes my way
A beautiful woman walks past me

I stand at my window to catch her eye
I position myself at the window, hoping she notices me

But her head never turns as she passes me by
However, she never looks in my direction as she goes by

Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa
Oh, Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa

What is this feeling that harms me so
What is this overwhelming emotion that brings me pain

Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa
Oh, Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa

Soon you must love me or let me go
You must either reciprocate my love or release me from this torment soon

As I wander around through the country side
As I travel through the countryside

There's many a girl that would be my bride
There are plenty of girls who would marry me

But always before the vows I can say
However, just before making any promises

Her image returns and she draws me away
Her image comes back to my mind and distracts me from my intentions

Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa
Oh, Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa

What is this feeling that harms me so
What is this overwhelming emotion that brings me pain

Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa
Oh, Bella Rosa, Bella Rosa

Soon you must love me or let me go
You must either reciprocate my love or release me from this torment soon

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group
Written by: ALLAN RICH, PAMELA P RESWICK, STEPHEN E WERFEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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