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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Capetown
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look at all her people
Look at them dance, look at them laugh
Singing a song
They make like happy children
Wearing friendly faces
Everyone knows, everyone knows they belong
Where they belong
Capetown, I'm drowning in your beauty
Capetown, but my hearts not feeling nicely
Capetown, angel black, white sin
Capetown, there's a shadow on your mountain
Capetown, there's a flaw in your sparkle
Capetown, there's a crying at your crossroads
Let me in, let me in, let me in
The rush of silky color
The sound of Dixie Banjos
Mongrel melodies in quarter tones
Streets of Malay marchers
Hatted in their feathers
The lilt, the lilt of xhosa Saxophones, xhosa saxophones
Capetown, there's a hole at the heart of you
A hole where district six used to be
Capetown, now brown ghosts are dancing
To be free, oh to be free
Capetown, there's an island in your ocean
Capetown, where black blood is running
Capetown, hear the voices calling from your sea
You belong to me, oh you belong to me, hmm
Tidy whitewashed houses
Sprays of wild flowers
The heart and soul of gentility
The vineyards, and the orchards
Warm white sandy beaches
Old and graceful luxury
Capetown, they're squatting in your desert
Capetown, in shanties made of plastic
Capetown exiles in your homeland
Capetown, struggling with your reason
Capetown, holding back your madness
Capetown, it's a bitter fruit you harvest
Capetown, oh, oh
Capetown I'm drowning in your beauty
Capetown, but my hearts not feeling nicely
Capetown, angel black, white as sin
Capetown there's a shadow on your mountain
Capetown, there's a flaw in your sparkle
Capetown, there's a crying at your crossroads
Let me in, let me in, let me in
Capetown, it's a bitter fruit you harvest
Capetown, let me in, ah let me in
Capetown you belong to me,
Capetown you belong to me
The song "Capetown" by Harry Belafonte is a tribute to the beauty and complexity of the city of Cape Town in South Africa. In the first verse, the lyrics describe the joy and energy of the people of Cape Town as they dance, sing, and smile with friendly faces. Belafonte compares them to happy children, emphasizing the sense of community that exists within the city. However, the second verse takes a darker turn as he acknowledges the city's flaws and struggles, including the displacement of people in the district six area and the poverty faced by many residents. He asks to be let in, to be a part of the city, and ultimately asserts that Cape Town belongs to him.
The lyrics throughout the song showcase the stark contrast between the beauty and luxury of the city, such as the tidy whitewashed houses and vineyards, and the poverty and struggle that exists within it. Belafonte also notes the multi-cultural nature of the city and the unique sound that emerges from the different musical traditions, including dixie banjos and xhosa saxophones.
Overall, "Capetown" is a powerful exploration of the contradictions and complexities of one of South Africa's most important cities. It shows that even in the face of struggle and hardship, there is beauty and community to be found.
Line by Line Meaning
She sparkles like a diamond
The beauty of Capetown is like a shining diamond.
Look at all her people
The people of Capetown are worth admiring.
Look at them dance, look at them laugh
The people of Capetown are happy and joyous.
Singing a song
The people of Capetown are singing and expressing themselves.
They make like happy children
The people of Capetown act and feel like carefree children.
Wearing friendly faces
The people of Capetown are approachable and welcoming.
Everyone knows, everyone knows they belong
The people of Capetown have a strong sense of community and belonging.
Capetown, I'm drowning in your beauty
The beauty of Capetown overwhelms the artist.
Capetown, but my hearts not feeling nicely
Despite the beauty of Capetown, the artist is not entirely content.
Capetown, angel black, white sin
Capetown has both positive and negative aspects.
Capetown, there's a shadow on your mountain
Capetown has some issues or problems that are casting a shadow on its beauty.
Capetown, there's a flaw in your sparkle
Capetown is not entirely perfect or flawless.
Capetown, there's a crying at your crossroads
There are people in Capetown who are suffering or in need of help.
Let me in, let me in, let me in
The singer wants to understand and be a part of Capetown's complexities.
The rush of silky color
Capetown is full of vibrant and diverse sights and sounds.
The sound of Dixie Banjos
Capetown has a unique blend of cultural influences.
Mongrel melodies in quarter tones
The music of Capetown is a combination of different styles and tones.
Streets of Malay marchers
Capetown has a significant Malay population who express themselves through their traditions and customs.
Hatted in their feathers
The Malay marchers of Capetown wear traditional feathered hats.
The lilt, the lilt of xhosa Saxophones, xhosa saxophones
The Xhosa people of Capetown use the saxophone to express their unique musical style.
Capetown, there's a hole at the heart of you
Capetown has a deep and painful history that still affects the city today.
A hole where district six used to be
The forced removal of the residents of District Six in Capetown during apartheid caused a hole in the city's heart.
Capetown, now brown ghosts are dancing
The memory of the people who were removed from their homes in Capetown during apartheid haunts the city today.
To be free, oh to be free
The people who suffered during apartheid in Capetown were fighting for freedom and justice.
Capetown, there's an island in your ocean
There is an island near Capetown that has its own unique history and culture.
Capetown, where black blood is running
There is still racial tension and inequality in Capetown today.
Capetown, hear the voices calling from your sea
There are people in Capetown who are calling for change and justice.
You belong to me, oh you belong to me, hmm
The artist feels a deep connection to Capetown and its people.
Tidy whitewashed houses
Capetown has many clean and orderly homes.
Sprays of wild flowers
Capetown is full of natural beauty and color.
The heart and soul of gentility
Capetown is characterized by its refinement and culture.
The vineyards, and the orchards
Capetown is home to many thriving agricultural industries.
Warm white sandy beaches
Capetown has beautiful and inviting beaches.
Old and graceful luxury
Capetown has a history of affluence and luxury from its colonial past.
Capetown, they're squatting in your desert
There are people in Capetown who are living in poverty and struggling to survive.
Capetown, in shanties made of plastic
The living conditions of some people in Capetown are very poor and unstable.
Capetown exiles in your homeland
The legacy of apartheid in Capetown has led to forced displacement and exile for some people.
Capetown, struggling with your reason
The people of Capetown are trying to make sense of and find solutions to the challenges they face.
Capetown, holding back your madness
Capetown is trying to keep itself from descending into chaos and instability.
Capetown, it's a bitter fruit you harvest
The struggles and challenges in Capetown have led to a difficult and painful reality for many people.
Capetown, let me in, ah let me in
The artist is expressing a desire to understand and be a part of Capetown's complexities.
Capetown you belong to me,
The singer feels a deep connection to Capetown and its people.
Capetown you belong to me
The singer reiterates their attachment and ownership of Capetown.
Contributed by Makayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Frederique Roberge
on Angelina
What a joy to discover this site ..and relive that show , something so needed to end the day with a smile !