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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Judy Drownded
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
Told her not to linger so she won't forget
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Judy took the short cut 'cross the water
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
When she look around, the stream had caught her
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
Judy was carried down the stream, oh
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
Takin' her last breath, it did seem, oh
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
Judy reach out with her hand, oh
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
Lucky she grasp a branch on land, oh
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
So I went up to Judy's mother's shed,
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
But Judy no drownded, Judy lie in bed,
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
The lyrics of Harry Belafonte's "Judy Drownded" describe the tragic yet humorous miscommunication surrounding Judy's trip to the market. Despite her mother's warning not to linger, Judy decides to take a shortcut across the water. As she looks around, she realizes that she's being carried down the stream, and she takes her last breath. However, she manages to grasp a branch on land, saving her life.
The lyrics, on the surface, depict a comical situation where the town gossips about Judy's supposed drowning before realizing that she is alive and well. However, beneath the surface, the song sheds light on an essential aspect of human nature - the power of rumors and community involvement. The song emphasizes the importance of communication and how misunderstandings can lead to chaos and confusion.
Overall, "Judy Drownded" stands as a testament to Harry Belafonte's ability to capture the essence of Caribbean culture through music. The rhythm and upbeat melody of the song influence the audience to tap their feet and dance along, while the content of the lyrics provokes thought and reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
Judy's mama sent her to market,
Judy was sent to the market by her mother
Ev'ry body bawl out Judy drownded
Everyone started yelling that Judy had drowned
Told her not to linger so she won't forget
Judy was instructed not to stay too long at the market
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
Judy drownded, Judy drownded
Wa'yo Judy drownded
Everyone kept shouting that Judy had drowned
Judy took the short cut 'cross the water
Judy decided to take a shortcut across the water
When she look around, the stream had caught her
She didn't realize how strong the current was and it swept her away
Judy was carried down the stream, oh
Judy was carried away by the strong current of the stream
Takin' her last breath, it did seem, oh
It seemed like she was taking her last breath
Judy reach out with her hand, oh
Judy tried to grab onto something to save herself
Lucky she grasp a branch on land, oh
Fortunately, she was able to grab onto a branch and pull herself to safety
So I went up to Judy's mother's shed,
The singer went to Judy's mother's house
But Judy no drownded, Judy lie in bed,
Judy was not drowned, she was just lying in bed
Contributed by Stella K. 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 !