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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I'm Goin' Away
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I′m comin' back if I go ten thousand miles
Oh who will tie your shoes
And who will glove your hand
And who will kiss your ruby lips when I am gone
Look away, look away, over yondro
The morning sun will return your glowing smile
Then I will tie your shoes
And I will glove your hand
And I will kiss your ruby lips when I return
Look away, look away, over yondro
Harry Belafonte's "I'm Goin' Away" is a song that speaks of separation and the hope of returning to a loved one. The lyrics convey one's determination to leave for an unspecified period but return eventually, regardless of how far they go (even if it's 10,000 miles). The first stanza depicts the concern for a lover's mundane chores like tying shoes, placing gloves on a cold hand, and kissing ruby lips when the singer is not around. The phrase "over yondro" implies looking beyond the physical horizon, alluding to the distance that must be crossed.
The second stanza projects a positive outlook on the separation, promising the sun will revisit and bring back the recipient's smiling face. The singer promises to fulfill the requests they'd made earlier - tying shoes, gloving hands, and kissing ruby lips - once they return. The phrase "look away, look away" urges the intended recipient to look past the distance and time, knowing that there's hope for their return. Overall, the lyrics of the song reflect the pangs of separation and the faithfulness of love that transcends distance.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm goin' away for to stay a little while
I'm leaving for a short period of time
But I'm comin' back if I go ten thousand miles
No matter how far I travel, I will return
Oh who will tie your shoes
Who will take care of you in my absence
And who will glove your hand
Who will protect you and hold your hand
And who will kiss your ruby lips when I am gone
Who will show you affection and love
Look away, look away, over yondro
Don't focus on my leaving, look to the horizon and stay optimistic
The morning sun will return your glowing smile
Time will pass and happiness will return
For I'm comin' back if I go ten thousand miles
I will always come back to you, no matter how far I travel
Then I will tie your shoes
When I return, I will take care of you
And I will glove your hand
I will be there to protect you and comfort you
And I will kiss your ruby lips when I return
I will shower you with affection and love when I come back
Look away, look away, over yondro
Don't dwell on my leaving, stay hopeful and believe that we will reunite soon
Writer(s): Alan Greene
Contributed by Max M. 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 !