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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Glory Manger
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They turn 'way Mary and Josef
'Way from the inn
They turn 'way Mary and Josef
'Way from the inn
They turn 'way Mary and Josef
'Way from the inn
That's what made the glory Manger
Wasn't that a bright Bethlehem morning
All around the glory manger
There in a stable she born him
Cold winter night
There in a stable she born him
Cold winter night
And there in a stable she born him
On a cold winter night
And sanctified the glory manger
And the Hallelujah Hallelujah
Wasn't that a bright Bethlehem morning
All around the glory manger
And all his pretty little fingers played in the straw
All his pretty little fingers played in the straw
And all his pretty little fingers played in the straw
That's what made the glory manger
And the Hallelujah Hallelujah
Wasn't that a bright Bethlehem morning
All around the glory manger
The lyrics of Harry Belafonte's "Glory Manger" describe the nativity story from the perspective of Mary and Joseph being turned away from the inn and ultimately giving birth to Jesus in a stable on a cold winter night. The repetition of "They turn 'way Mary and Josef" emphasizes the rejection that the couple faced, which later serves to contrast with the significance and holiness of the manger where Jesus is born. The lyrics also depict the scene of Jesus' birth, with the image of his "pretty little fingers" playing in the straw. The repetition of "Hallelujah" throughout the song emphasizes the divinity and joyousness of the occasion.
The song elevates the humble manger where Jesus is born to a place of glory and sanctity, emphasizing that it is not opulence or wealth that make a moment sacred, but the presence of a divine spirit. This message is particularly poignant when considering the times we live in, where material possessions are often valued over spiritual ones. The song is a reminder that it is the humble and unassuming that can hold the most significance and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
They turn 'way Mary and Josef
Mary and Joseph were turned away from the inn
'Way from the inn
They were turned away from the inn
That's what made the glory Manger
The fact that Mary and Joseph were turned away and had to give birth in a manger is what made it glorious
And the Hallelujah, Hallelujah
This was a moment of great celebration
Wasn't that a bright Bethlehem morning
This was a joyful and happy morning in Bethlehem
All around the glory manger
The atmosphere around the manger was filled with wonder and awe
There in a stable she born him
Mary gave birth to her child in a stable
Cold winter night
It was a cold night
And sanctified the glory manger
The birth of the child in the manger made it holy and blessed
And all his pretty little fingers played in the straw
The baby Jesus played with the straw
That's what made the glory manger
The presence of the baby Jesus in the manger made it glorious
And the Hallelujah Hallelujah
This was a moment of great celebration and praise
Wasn't that a bright Bethlehem morning
It was a joyful and happy morning in Bethlehem
All around the glory manger
The atmosphere around the manger was filled with wonder and awe
Contributed by Tristan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Océane Manureva
So wonderful song and your voice Harry Belafonte. Thank you for all your songs (from island of Polynesia)
Gina Kay
Excellent. I remember watching Harry Belafonte singing "Gloria Manger" at Montreal's Place Des Arts way back in 1963. Beautiful song so wonderfully performed.
Maria
Beautiful!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Edda Simon
So gentle🍀❤️🌹
Jeannie Gray
💛🙏💛
David Bentley
Very nice...Ty
Nancy McAlhany
And amen