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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Island In The Sun
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
As morning breaks the heaven on high
I lift my heavy load to the sky
Sun comes down with a burning glow
Mingles my sweat with the earth below
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
I see woman on bended knee
Cutting cane for her family
I see man at the waterside
Casting nets at the surging tide
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
I hope the day will never come
When I can't awake to the sound of drum
Never let me miss carnival
With calypso songs philosophical
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Island in the Sun by Harry Belafonte is a tribute to a Caribbean island and the memorable experiences that go with it. The song starts off with the singer acknowledging that the island was given to him by his father. He then proceeds to sing its praises, "All my days I will sing in praise of your forest, waters, your shining sand." From this line, one can infer that the island is very beautiful, with clean waters and sand, and a lush forest. The singer has a strong affinity for the island and considers it a gift that he will cherish for the rest of his life.
The second verse of the song paints a picture of daily life on the island. The singer carries a heavy load as he toils in the sun, reflecting on life. He sees the woman cutting cane and the man casting nets into the water, and it becomes clear that the island's inhabitants are hardworking and resourceful people. The last verse of the song expresses a strong hope and desire to always wake to the sound of a drum, never missing Carnival with its calypso music that holds philosophical messages.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, island in the sun
Harry Belafonte expresses his admiration and appreciation for the paradise that is the island in the sun.
Willed to me by my father's hand
The island was passed down to him from his father and he takes pride in being the heir.
All my days I will sing in praise
He will sing and celebrate the beauty and wonder of the island every day of his life.
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
He will extol the praises of the island's forest, waters, and sparkling sand.
As morning breaks the heaven on high
When the morning sun appears on the horizon, Harry lifts the heavy load of his work and responsibilities to the sky.
I lift my heavy load to the sky
He looks up to the sky and offers his load to the heavens.
Sun comes down with a burning glow
The sun comes down with a scorching heat that heats up everything around him.
Mingles my sweat with the earth below
His sweat mixes with the ground, leaving him feeling one with the earth.
I see woman on bended knee
Harry observes a woman on her knees, cutting cane for her family.
Cutting cane for her family
She is working hard to provide for her family by cutting sugarcane.
I see man at the waterside
Harry sees a man by the water's edge.
Casting nets at the surging tide
This man is casting his fishing net into the water at high tide, trying to catch fish for his family.
I hope the day will never come
Harry expresses his feeling of never wanting to leave the island.
When I can't awake to the sound of drum
He doesn't want to miss waking up to the sound of drums, reminding him of the island's carnival celebrations.
Never let me miss carnival
He never wants to miss out on the carnival celebrations because it holds a special place in his heart.
With calypso songs philosophical
The music with calypso lyrics is deeply philosophical and means a lot to him.
Ooh
The sound of ooh is Belafonte's final expression of his love and admiration for the island.
Ooh
The sound of ooh is Belafonte's final expression of his love and admiration for the island.
Ooh
The sound of ooh is Belafonte's final expression of his love and admiration for the island.
Ooh
The sound of ooh is Belafonte's final expression of his love and admiration for the island.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Irving Burgie, Harry Belafonte
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Jessica-zf2df
Who's watching this in 2024?
@bernadettekelly8165
Me ❤❤❤ Beautiful ❤❤❤
@teddystauffer4614
🇷🇺🇩🇪
@nahomelias2237
Here in 2024... U r an amazing person
@mrwong3393
I was sing this song in1989 singing contests. I got 3rd place.
@Jessica-zf2df
@@mrwong3393 well done
@Jotunhammer2011
Rest in peace master, your songs will always be with us, you have flown to the island in the sun
@stephaniejordan9066
😐
@maria89581
Harry for ever RIP
@JohnDoe-zr6bk
May he now sail to his eternal island in the sun in peace to enjoy forever at the hand of his creator.