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.
http://singyoursongthemovie.com
One More Dance
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is he ill? Let them give him a pill.
Oh, come my dear Franz, just one more dance,
Then I'll go home to my poor old man,
Then I'll go home to my poor old man.
Darling, go home, your husband is worse.
Is he worse? Well I am no nurse.
Then I'll go home to my poor old man,
Then I'll go home to my poor old man.
Darling, go home, your husband is dead.
Is he dead? There's no more to be said
Oh, come my dear Franz, just one more dance,
Then I'll go home to my poor old man,
Then I'll go home to my poor old man.
Darling, go home, the will's to be read
What's that you said? I said the will's to be read.
Oh, no, no, my dear Franz, this is no time to dance,
I must go weep for my poor old man,
I must go weep for my poor old man.
The song “One More Dance” by Harry Belafonte & Miriam Makeba is a tale about a woman who is caught between her fidelity to her dying husband and her desires for a man who is trying to seduce her. The lyrics reveal this woman’s desperation to have one final dance with Franz, despite her husband’s ailing health. Each time she is told to leave, she initially insists on staying for one more dance before ultimately succumbing to reality. This idea of choosing between duty and passion is woven throughout the song, with the woman being torn between her love for her husband and her desire to be with Franz.
The lyrics are delivered in a call and response style, with Belafonte and Makeba taking turns singing. The music features African rhythms and drums, creating a lively and celebratory feel, despite the emotional weight of the lyrics. The song is a masterful display of storytelling through music, and the interplay between Belafonte and Makeba creates a dynamic and engaging listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling, go home, your husband is ill.
My dear, it's time to leave, your husband is not feeling well.
Is he ill? Let them give him a pill.
Is he really sick? Then why not take medicine to make him better?
Oh, come my dear Franz, just one more dance,
Please stay with me a bit longer, let's enjoy one more dance together.
Then I'll go home to my poor old man,
After this dance, I promise I will go back home to take care of my sick husband.
Darling, go home, your husband is worse.
My dear, you should really leave now, your husband's condition is getting worse.
Is he worse? Well I am no nurse.
Is he really that bad? Sorry, but I am not a trained nurse.
Darling, go home, your husband is dead.
My dear, I regret to tell you that your husband has passed away.
Is he dead? There's no more to be said
Oh my, he really is gone. There are no words to express our loss.
Oh, come my dear Franz, just one more dance,
Please distract me for just one more dance, to forget the pain for a little while.
Then I'll go home to my poor old man,
I'll return to an empty home, to face the harsh reality of my loss.
Darling, go home, the will's to be read
My dear, it's time for us to leave, the last wishes of the deceased are soon to be revealed.
What's that you said? I said the will's to be read.
Could you repeat that? Oh, the will is going to be read, right.
Oh, no, no, my dear Franz, this is no time to dance,
I'm sorry, but now is not the time for dancing. We need to properly mourn our loss.
I must go weep for my poor old man,
I need to grieve for my husband, who I loved dearly and lost.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: C.C. CARTER, ROSEMARY PRIMONT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nnamdi-kanumaureen.a.3829
My Mom used to sing this awesome song to me. God bless her soul.
@borntotravel4421
Mine too, and Manana sung by Peggy Lee.
@walteranimdife5298
One song I've enjoyed for years. Almost forgot it till recently then started looking for it. It reminded me of my very young days.
@hannejeppesen1809
Have that album and also the CD, I always loved Harry Belafonte. He will be missed.
@ronk6034
Loved this song the first time I heard it....early 1965 in Germany. Subsequently bought the LP, which I still have today.
@ndibaratobin8874
Woow
@fawziaosman3999
Oh love this song....A classic.
@califgirl101
Such a beautiful song! I love this wonderful album! Thank you! :)
@gomolemosai663
Mariam makeba's voice is so beautiful....oh my word
@dijabalushi9121
sweet Lord, this is incredible, did you hear the blend? And what a ridiculously true story!! Thanks for uploading this. I love the voices, I love the story.