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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Mary
Harry Belafonte Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Long time ago in Bethlehem
So the Holy Bible say
Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas day

Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new king born today
And man will live forevermore

Because of Christmas day

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
Them see a bright new shining star
Them hear a choir sing
The music seemed to come from afar

Now, Joseph and his wife, Mary
Come to Bethlehem that night
Them find no place to born she child
Not a single room was in sight

Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new king born today
And man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas day

By and by, they find a little nook
In a stable all forlorn
And in a manger cold and dark
Mary's litlle Boy was born

Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new king born today

And man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas day

Overall Meaning

The song "Mary's Boy Child" is a Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It begins by referring to the Holy Bible and stating that Jesus was born in Bethlehem on Christmas Day. The song then goes on to describe how the angels sang and proclaimed the birth of a new king and how man will live forevermore because of this event. The second verse describes the shepherds who witnessed the birth of Jesus and how they heard a choir sing. The third verse describes how Mary and Joseph searched for a place to give birth to Jesus, but were unable to find a room. They eventually found shelter in a stable where Jesus was born in a manger.

The song "Mary's Boy Child" is meant to be a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the joy that it brings to the world. The lyrics are simple, yet meaningful, and the melody is upbeat and cheerful. The song has become a popular Christmas carol and is often played on radio stations and in malls and stores during the holiday season.

Line by Line Meaning

Long time ago in Bethlehem
Many years ago in the town of Bethlehem

So the Holy Bible say
As it is written in the Holy Bible

Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ
The child of Mary, who is known as Jesus Christ

Was born on Christmas day
Was born on the day now celebrated as Christmas

Hark, now hear the angels sing
Listen carefully, as the angels are singing

A new king born today
A new king has been born on this day

And man will live forevermore
And humanity will live eternally

Because of Christmas day
Because of the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas day

Trumpets sound and angels sing
Musical instruments are heard, and angels are singing

Listen what they say
Pay attention to their message

That Man will live forevermore
Humans will live eternally