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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FAREWELL
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 turning around
Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Ackee, rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
The lyrics of Harry Belafonte's "Jamaica Farewell" tell the story of the singer's visit to Jamaica and the heartache he experiences when he has to leave a girl behind. The song is sung in a cheerful, upbeat style that belies the sadness of the lyrics. The opening line sets the tone, referring to the nights as "gay" and the sun as shining daily on the mountain top. The singer describes his trip on a sailing ship and his arrival in Jamaica where he visits the market and enjoys the local food, rum, and dancing.
However, the song's refrain emphasizes the singer's sadness and his reluctance to leave. His heart is "down," and his head is "turning around," reflecting the emotional turmoil he feels. He had to "leave a little girl in Kingston town," and the pain of this separation is palpable throughout the song. Despite the lightheartedness of the music, the lyrics express a deep sense of loss and longing.
One interpretation of the song is that it reflects the experiences of immigrants and their attachment to their homeland and loved ones left behind. The song is also sometimes considered a farewell to the Golden Age of travel, as it was written in the 1950s, just before air travel became more popular and affordable.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the way where the nights are gay
I'm reminiscing about a cheerful and lively place.
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
The place I'm referring to is blessed with perpetual sunshine.
I took a trip on a sailing ship
I embarked on a sea voyage.
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
I made a visit to Jamaica.
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
I'm unhappy that I have to leave.
Won't be back for many a day
I'll be gone for a long time.
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I am experiencing feelings of sadness and disorientation.
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I had to part ways with a special someone in Kingston town.
Down at the market you can hear
At the market, you can hear.
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Women shout while carrying items on their heads.
Ackee, rice, salt fish are nice
The food items Ackee, rice, and salt fish are delicious.
And the rum is fine any time of year
Rum is a great beverage all year round.
Sounds of laughter everywhere
There are happy sounds coming from all around me.
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
The girls are moving to the beat of the music.
I must declare my heart is there
I must confess that my heart is still in Jamaica.
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
Despite traveling extensively from Maine to Mexico.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Irving Burgie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
krista mago
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Down the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
'Akey' rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
lanananana
Lyrics:
Down the way
Where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls swing to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Ackee, rice, saltfish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Down the way
Where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Nabanita Das
Down the way
Where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls swing to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Ackee, rice, saltfish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Down the way
Where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
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 turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Dana S
My dad used to sing this song to me when I was little...so it was our father-daughter dance at my wedding. :)
Ila Shankar
Aaawww!
Johanna Fuchs
Aww
Md Azharuddin
Such a sweet story!
Yulissa Sultan
Beautiful precious memory !!
Soham
My dad too what a coincidence !!
Anirban Debnath
Just a masterpiece , Love from India.
No war, no violence. Just think peace
Jamaica Farewell Forever :)
Biplab Karfa
Nice words man... Only a bengali can think such a way!
Finger
@Biplab Karfa true. 😌
Jack Ryan
@Biplab Karfa Whoa! What a very kind thing to say! Seeing that put a smile on my face!! 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁