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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Hold
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold 'em Joe, hold'em Joe, hold'em Joe
But don't let him go
Hold 'em Joe, hold'em Joe, hold'em Joe
But don't let him go
Me donkey want water, hold'em Joe,
Spring 'round the corner, hold'em Joe
Everybody want water, hold'em Joe
Fuma la catchimba, hold'em Joe
We on a journey he don't walk straight
And that is because he's so underweight
Donkey of mine he don't like weight
Put him on a cart he never walk straight
Me donkey want water, hold'em Joe,
Spring 'round the corner, hold'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold'em Joe
Everybody want water, hold'em Joe
Fuma la catchimba, hold'em Joe
My ole donkey went courtin' one day
With a donkey named Melda across the way
She was twice his age, he put up a fight
Now he's cryin' every night
Oh lemme go, darling Melda,
You breaking my back bone
Lemme go, darling Melda,
You breaking my back
Some people say that my donkey is bad
an' that is because he's from Trinidad
Donkey of mine he won't work at all
All he want to do is break out him stall
The song "Hold them Joe" by Harry Belafonte is a playful and uplifting calypso tune that celebrates the unique personality and character of a donkey. The lyrics of the song revolve around the idea of "holding" the donkey, which means to keep him under control and prevent him from running away. The singer in the song is addressing someone named Joe, asking them to keep the donkey under control.
The first stanza of the song sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer repeating the phrase "Hold 'em Joe" several times. The phrase is followed by the instruction to not let the donkey go. This line is repeated several times throughout the song, creating a catchy and memorable chorus.
The second stanza of the song introduces the idea of the donkey needing water, and the singer instructs Joe to hold him so that he can't run away. The lyrics then turn playful, with the singer singing about the donkey's inability to walk straight and his dislike of heavy weights. The phrase "put him on a cart he never walk straight" is particularly memorable and adds to the playful tone of the song.
In the third and final stanza of the song, the singer tells a story about the donkey going courtin' with a donkey named Melda. The lyrics are humorous, with the singer describing the donkey's distress at being with a donkey twice his age. The song ends with the line "All he want to do is break out him stall," emphasizing the donkey's adventurous spirit.
Overall, "Hold them Joe" is an upbeat and fun calypso song that celebrates the spirit of adventure and playful nature of a donkey.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold 'em Joe, hold'em Joe, hold'em Joe
Keep holding on to him
But don't let him go
Make sure he doesn't escape
Me donkey want water, hold'em Joe,
My donkey is thirsty, hold him for me
Spring 'round the corner, hold'em Joe
Water is nearby, keep holding on to him
Everybody want water, hold'em Joe
Others need water too, take care of my donkey first
Fuma la catchimba, hold'em Joe
Smoke the hookah, keep holding him
We on a journey he don't walk straight
My donkey cannot walk in a straight line
And that is because he's so underweight
Being underweight is the reason for his unsteady gait
Donkey of mine he don't like weight
My donkey dislikes carrying heavy loads
Put him on a cart he never walk straight
Even on a cart, he cannot travel in a straight line
My ole donkey went courtin' one day
My donkey went to court a female donkey
With a donkey named Melda across the way
Melda is the name of the female donkey he is after
She was twice his age, he put up a fight
Melda was much older but he was still interested in her
Now he's cryin' every night
He's now lonely and unhappy every night
Oh lemme go, darling Melda,
He's begging to be set free from her
You breaking my back bone
Because she's older and larger, she's wearing him out
Some people say that my donkey is bad
Some people think that my donkey is no good
an' that is because he's from Trinidad
His origin is being used as the reason for his perceived inferiority
Donkey of mine he won't work at all
He refuses to work
All he want to do is break out him stall
All he wants is to break free from his pen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRY THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bankman58
This song was a favorite of my mother. Rest in Peace, and thank you for all you have given us over the years, Sir!🙏🏼
@ronlawray1563
This song brings back memories...remember call ing the music store in 1954 to see if they had this RECORD in stock....Sure did...took my $1.00 and purchased the 78rpm record.
@angelasingian7976
I remember when I was a kid we had to perform a song. Everybody went for either Disney Princess tunes or High School Musical ballads. I went for this song by the great Belafonte! No one really got it. But no regrets 😊
@Guithulhu
RIP Mr Belafonte. Thanks for the awesome music.
@sophialewis5474
You are Belafonte forever. Our beloved. Thank you for sharing your heavenly talent with us. Rest now in gentle peace.❤❤❤❤❤
@aydon1276
I was listening to this just two weeks ago. Classic childhood song. Thank you so much for brightening my world and changing it for so many!
@georgedouglas6268
Sleep good in heaven mi boss ❤️❤️❤️🇯🇲🇯🇲🙏🏾🙏🏾
@alexandrosmartinez1932
I sang this back in 6th grade as part of an elementary school concert.
@danielmcgorray5245
great song ,thanks for sharing
@RicdelaBastide
Respect