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 Never Will Marry
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's only brought me pain
'Cause the only one I ever did love
Has gone with the midnight train
I never will marry, never take me a wife
I expect to live single all
The train pulled out, the whistle blew
With a low and a lonesome mourn she's gone
She's gone like the midnight dew
And left me here alone
I never will marry, never take me a wife
I expect to live single all
The rest of my life
There's many a change in the winter wind
And a change in the clouds design
There's many a change in a young girls heart
But never a change in mine
I never will marry, never take me a wife
I expect to live single all
The rest of my life
In the song "I Never Will Marry," Harry Belafonte reflects on the pain that love has brought him by sharing his decision to never get married. The lyrics convey a sense of heartache and resignation, as he acknowledges that the person he loved has left him, symbolized by the metaphor of them boarding the midnight train. This departure signifies the end of their relationship and has left him feeling alone.
Belafonte expresses his firm stance on never getting married, emphasizing his intention to live a single life indefinitely. The repetition of the line "I never will marry, never take me a wife" underscores his determination to remain unmarried and avoid the pain and disappointment associated with love. He believes that his life will continue without a partner, and he seems to have made peace with this decision, suggesting that he doesn't anticipate any change in his commitment to staying single.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea that while many things in life may change, including the weather and the hearts of young girls, Belafonte claims that his resolution to remain unmarried remains resolute and unchanging. This reinforces the conviction he has in his decision, further highlighting his belief that marriage is not for him.
Overall, "I Never Will Marry" delves into the personal experience of heartbreak and the resulting resolve to never pursue marriage. The song captures the emotions of loss and resilience, showcasing Belafonte's powerful storytelling and ability to convey complex sentiments through his music.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say that love's a gentle thing
Love is often described as a tender and kind emotion
But it's only brought me pain
However, my experience with love has only caused me suffering
Cause the only one I ever did love
Because the person I truly loved
Has gone with the midnight train
Has departed on the train that leaves at midnight
I never will marry, never take me a wife
I have made the decision to never marry or have a wife
I expect to live single all the rest of my life
I anticipate a life of solitude without a partner for the remaining years
The train pulled out, the whistle blew
As the train departed, the sound of its whistle filled the air
With a low and a lonesome mourn she's gone
Sadly, she has left and the mournful sound echoes in my heart
She's gone like the midnight dew
She vanished suddenly, like the disappearing dew at midnight
And left me here alone
Leaving me in this state of solitude and loneliness
There's many a change in the winter wind
The winter wind often undergoes various transformations
And a change in the clouds design
The cloud formations also experience shifts in their appearance
There's many a change in a young girls heart
The heart of a young girl can undergo numerous fluctuations
But never a change in mine
Yet, my heart remains steadfast and unchanged
I never will marry, never take me a wife
I am resolute in my decision to never enter into matrimony or have a wife
I expect to live single all the rest of my life
I accept and foresee a future of being solitary until the end of my days
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frederique Roberge
on Angelina
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