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
Pastures Of Plenty
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My poor feet have traveled a hot dusty road
Out of your dust bowl and westward we rolled
Blue deserts so hot and your mountains so cold
I wandered all over this green growing land
Where ever your crops are I lend you my hands
At the edge of your cities, you'll see me and then
I come with the dust and I'm gone with the wind
North up to oregon to gather your hops
I got beets from your ground
I cut grapes from your vines
To sat on our table's that light that sparkling wine
Green pastures of plenty from dry desert ground
From the grand coulee dam where the water runs down
Every state of this union us migrants have been
Oh we come with the dust and we're gone, gone,gone with
The wind
It's always we rambled that river and I
All along your green valley's I'd work till I die
I traveled this road until death lets me be
Cause pastures of plenty must always be free
I's a mighty hard row that my poor hands have hoed
My poor feet have traveled a hot dusty road
Edge of your cities you see me and then
I come with the dust and I'm gone, gone, gone with the
Wind
The lyrics of Harry Belafonte's "Pastures Of Plenty" tell the story of the hardships faced by migrant farm workers who travel across the country from their homes in search of work. The first verse describes the difficult physical labor they endure as they cultivate fields and walk long distances on hot, dusty roads. The second verse speaks to the nomadic nature of their existence, as they move from state to state in search of jobs, and the sense of community that is formed between fellow migrant workers. The chorus paints a picture of the promise of prosperity and abundance that is often just out of reach for these travelers, as they are constantly on the go, seeking their fortunes.
The song's lyrics provide a window into a historical moment in the United States when migrant farm labor was a vital part of the agricultural industry but one that was tinged with injustice and exploitation. Belafonte's song draws attention to the struggles and the humanity of these workers, who faced racism, poverty, and isolation as they moved from place to place. The lyrics also suggest a call to action, a plea for change and for a recognition of the value and contributions of all members of society.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a mighty hard row that my poor hands have hoed
I have labored tirelessly and tirelessly worked on planting crops with my bare hands.
My poor feet have traveled a hot dusty road
I have walked the scorching and dusty roads to get from one place to another in search of work.
Out of your dust bowl and westward we rolled
We left the areas with severe drought and dust storms, and headed westwards in search for better opportunities.
Blue deserts so hot and your mountains so cold
Throughout our journey, we crossed both overly hot and barren lands as well as some bone-chilling snowy mountains.
I wandered all over this green growing land
I roamed through various areas that were rich in vegetation.
Where ever your crops are I lend you my hands
I offered my services and worked on planting and harvesting crops wherever I could find employment.
At the edge of your cities, you'll see me and then
You will find me lingering around the outskirts of your cities in search of work and a better livelihood.
I come with the dust and I'm gone with the wind
I move from one place to another like the wind, and leave as soon as the work is done.
California, arizona, I worked on your crops
I worked on various crops in states like California and Arizona.
North up to oregon to gather your hops
I traveled as far as Oregon to pick hops.
I got beets from your ground
I harvested beets from your soil.
I cut grapes from your vines
I plucked grapes from your vineyards.
To sat on our table's that light that sparkling wine
I toiled hard to harvest grapes for wine production, and eventually, the wine decorated our tables and added sparkle to our lives.
Green pastures of plenty from dry desert ground
Despite the dry and harsh soil, we were fortunate enough to be blessed with plentiful green pastures.
From the grand coulee dam where the water runs down
We benefitted from the abundant water supply, thanks to the Grand Coulee Dam.
Every state of this union us migrants have been
We migrants have moved around every state in this nation in search of work and better opportunities.
Oh we come with the dust and we're gone, gone,gone with the wind
Just like the wind, we migrants come and go quickly, leaving no trace of our presence behind.
It's always we rambled that river and I
I always traveled alongside rivers, following their path as I searched for work and opportunities.
All along your green valley's I'd work till I die
I worked hard in the lush and fertile valleys until the day I die.
I traveled this road until death lets me be
I continued to be a migrant worker, traveling and working until the very end of my life.
Cause pastures of plenty must always be free
I believe that everyone should have access to bountiful green pastures and the fruits of their labor, free from exploitation and oppression.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WOODY GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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 !