Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in Harlem, NYC, on 1 Ma… Read Full Bio ↴Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. in Harlem, NYC, on 1 March 1927; died 25 April 2023) was an American singer, activist, and actor. As arguably the most successful Caribbean-American pop star, he popularized Jamaican mento folk songs which was marketed as Trinbagonian Calypso musical style with an international audience in the 1950s. His breakthrough album Calypso, released in 1956, was the first million-selling LP by a single artist.

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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Jump in Line
Harry Belafonte Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Shake, shake, shake, señora
Shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, señora
Shake it all the time
Work, work, work, señora
Work your body line
Work, work, work, señora
Work it all the time

My girl's name is señora
I tell you friends, I adore her
And when she dances, oh brother
She's a hurricane in all kinds of weather

Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Ok, I believe you
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Ok, I believe you
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Ok, I believe you
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Whoa

Shake, shake, shake, señora
Shake your body line, whoa
Shake, shake, shake, señora
Shake it all the time
Work, work, work, señora
Work your body line
Work, work, work, señora
Work it all the time

You can talk about cha-cha
Tango, waltz, or the rumba
Señora's dance has no title
You jump in the saddle
Hold on to di bridle

Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Ok, I believe you
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Rock your body, child
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Somebody, help me
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Whoa

Shake, shake, shake, señora
Shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, señora
Shake it all the time, whoa
Work, work, work, señora
Work your body line, yeah
Work, work, work, señora
Work it all the time

Señora she's a sensation
The reason for aviation
And fellas, you got to watch it
When she wind up she bottom
She go like a rocket

Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Ok, I believe you
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Hoist those skirts a little higher
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Up the chimney
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Whoa

Yessah

Shake, shake, shake, señora
Shake your body line
Work, work, work, señora
Work it all the time
Dance, dance, dance, señora
Dance it all the time
Work, work, work, señora
Work it all the time

Señora dances calypso
Left to right is the tempo
And when she gets the sensation
She go up in the air, come down in slow motion

Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Ok, I believe you
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Somebody, help me
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Ok, I believe you
Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Whoa

Shake, shake, shake, señora
Shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, señora

Shake it all the time
Work, work, work, señora (shake, shake, shake, señora)

Overall Meaning

"Jump in Line" by Harry Belafonte is a fun and upbeat song that pays tribute to the music and dance of the Caribbean, especially Calypso. The lyrics encourage a woman named Senora to shake and work her body line all the time, no matter what dance style she chooses. Senora's dancing is celebrated as divine art and as a natural disaster, as she moves like a hurricane in any weather. The song's refrain repeatedly urges listeners to jump in the line and rock their body in time, highlighting the contagious joy and energy of Calypso music.

Through its vivid imagery and catchy rhythm, "Jump in Line" shows how music and dance can bring people together and uplift their spirits. The song emphasizes that there are no fixed rules or boundaries in dance, and that spontaneity and creativity are key to enjoying life. This message resonates with many cultures around the world and has made the song a popular party or festival anthem.

Line by Line Meaning

Shake, shake, shake, Senora,
Encourages the listener to shake their body.

Shake your body line
Instructs the listener to move their entire body.

Shake it all the time
Encourages the listener to always be moving.

Work, work, work, Senora,
Encourages the listener to work on their dancing.

Work it all the time
Encourages the listener to always be practicing.

My girl's name is Senora
Introducing his love interest.

I tell you friends, I adore her
Expressing his love for Senora.

And when she dances, oh brother!
Marveling at Senora's dancing abilities.

She's a hurricane in all kinds of weather
Describing Senora's energy and passion.

Jump in the line, rock your body in time
Encourages the listener to join in the dance.

Ok, I believe you!
Accepting the invitation to dance.

Whoa!
Expressing enthusiasm for the dance.

You can talk about Cha-Cha
Acknowledging other dance styles.

Tango, Waltz, or the Rumba
Listing other dance styles.

Senora's dance has no title
Senora's style is unique and cannot be labeled.

You jump in the saddle
Instructions to get ready to dance.

Hold on to de bridle
Hold on tight and enjoy the ride.

Rock your body, child!
Encouraging a child to join in the dance.

Somebody, help me!
Asking for assistance with the dance.

Senora, she's a sensation
Complimenting Senora's dancing abilities.

The reason for aviation
Metaphorically describing Senora's energy and excitement.

Fellas, you got to watch it
Warning the men to watch out for Senora's moves.

When she wind up, she bottom,
Describing Senora's hip movement.

She go like a rocket
Describing Senora's energy and speed.

Hoist those guns a little higher!
Encouraging the listener to keep their arms up during the dance.

Up the chimney!
A call to be carefree and let loose.

Dance, dance, dance, Senora
Encouragement for Senora to dance.

Senora dances Calypso
Describing Senora's dance style.

Left to right is the tempo
Describing the rhythm of the dance.

And when she gets the sensation
Referring to the feeling of getting lost in the dance.

She go up in the air, come down in slow motion
Describing the height and grace of Senora's dance moves.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Gabriel Oller, Ralph De Leon, Raymond Bell, Stephen Samuel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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