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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Scarlet Ribbons
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I heard my child in prayer
And for me some scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for my hair
All the stores were closed and shuttered
All the streets were dark and bare
In our town, no scarlet ribbons
Through the night my heart was aching
And just before the dawn was breaking
I peeked in and on her bed
In gay profusion lying there
Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair
If I live to be a hundred
I will never know from where
Came those lovely scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair
Harry Belafonte's song Scarlet Ribbons tells the story of a father who hears his child praying for some scarlet ribbons for her hair. He goes out to buy her some, but finds that all the stores are closed and there are no ribbons to be found. The father struggles with the realization that he cannot fulfill his child's wish, and spends the night heartbroken. In the morning, he finds his child's bed covered in beautiful scarlet ribbons, but he doesn't know where they came from.
The song is a poignant portrayal of a parent's love and desire to fulfill their child's wishes, and the mysterious appearance of the scarlet ribbons suggests that there are powers beyond our understanding that are watching over us. The song captures the beautiful and complex emotions of parenthood and the love that binds families together.
Overall, Scarlet Ribbons is a touching and memorable song that has resonated with audiences for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
I peeked in to say goodnight
I checked on my child before going to sleep
When I heard my child in prayer
I overheard my child saying her prayers
And for me some scarlet ribbons
She requested scarlet ribbons for me
Scarlet ribbons for my hair
To be worn in my hair
All the stores were closed and shuttered
All stores were already closed
All the streets were dark and bare
The streets were empty and dark
In our town, no scarlet ribbons
There were no scarlet ribbons in town
Not one ribbon for her hair
None available for her
Through the night my heart was aching
I was restless all night
And just before the dawn was breaking
Just before sunrise
I peeked in and on her bed
I checked on her in her bed
In gay profusion lying there
The room was noticeably bright and colorful
Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons were present
Scarlet ribbons for her hair
They were meant for her hair
If I live to be a hundred
No matter how long I live
I will never know from where
I will never know the source
Came those lovely scarlet ribbons
How those ribbons appeared
Scarlet ribbons for her hair
The ribbons were for her hair
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EVELYN DANZIG, JACK SEGAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RichKleinnewyork
"Scarlet Ribbons'" was composed by my late great aunt, Evelyn Danzig Levine, who was good friends with Harry. The song was written in my aunt's living room in Port Washington, Long Island with lyricist Jack Segal.
@holyspacemonkey
Oh wow! Thanks for the info! Kudos to Aunt Evelyn!
@breathnstop
Love this song, it's choking me up right now. My mother played her Martin guitar and sang it to me when I was very tiny. We had lots of Belafonte albums in our home as well. I had the honor of meeting him at Rider University where my nephew had invited him to be a guest speaker. I had a chance at age 65 to tell him how much I appreciated his music, acting, civil rights activism. Even got to have a bite to eat with him. A beautiful memory for me. Thank you for this beautiful piece of music and letting us know of it's history and connection to you..
@margaretcampbell2681
Beautiful song
@BlossomFlowerGirl
That is amazing, thank you for sharing this story. I always love listening to Belafonte, such a beautiful voice.
@timothythorne9464
Your great aunt was very talented; it's a very beautiful song. And so heartfelt and thoughtful.
Classically beautiful melody, not unlike some of the art songs of Mendelssohn and Schubert.
@Kai3Music
"If I lived to be a hundred..." You were almost there. Rest in peace, you incredible legend. Thank you for all the joy that you spread in the world with your music. I will never stop being grateful for the gifts you shared with us.
@carolcarlsonives
RIP Harry thank you for sharing your beautiful voice and spirit with us, your music lives on,
@AsWeSpeak154
๐คญ๐ That made me laugh but yes, he was beautiful and talented in many ways,
@paulgallagher5889
My mother sang this to me as a lullaby for years, and even to this day it never fails to get me teary-eyed. Thank you, Mr. Belafonte. Rest in peace, your legacy is forever etched upon my life!!