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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Shenandoah
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Away you rolling river,
Oh Shenandoah I long to hear you,
Away I'm bound away,
'Cross the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter,
Away you rolling river,
Oh Shenandoah I love your daughter,
'Cross the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you,
Away you rolling river,
Oh Shenandoah I'll not deceive you,
Away I'm bound away,
'Cross the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Away you rolling river,
Oh Shenandoah I long to hear you,
Away I'm bound away,
'Cross the wide Missouri
The song "Shenandoah" is a traditional American folk song that tells the story of a man who longs to hear the sound of the Shenandoah River. The river is used as a metaphor for the man's desire to be free and escape his troubles. The song's multiple verses express different emotions and motivations, but they all share a common theme of longing for something that is just out of reach.
The first verse expresses the man's love for the daughter of the river, using the river as a symbol for the girl's beauty and grace. He wants to hear the river's song and be carried away from his current life, which is hinted at being difficult or unfulfilling. The second verse speaks to the man's decision to leave the river behind, despite his love for it. He promises not to deceive the river, but he must leave to cross the Missouri and start anew. The final verse returns to the man's longing for the Shenandoah and his desire to be carried away from his current struggles.
Overall, "Shenandoah" is a song about longing and escape, using the river as a powerful symbol for the man's desire to start fresh and leave his troubles behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
The singer deeply desires to hear the Shenandoah river, which they nostalgically associate with something positive.
Away you rolling river,
The singer acknowledges the movement of the river and seems to use it as a metaphor for the passage of time.
Oh Shenandoah I long to hear you,
Reiterating their desire to hear the river.
Away I'm bound away,
The artist is leaving and their journey is set in motion.
'Cross the wide Missouri
The artist is crossing the Missouri river, which can be seen as a symbol for a journey or for exploring new territory.
Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter,
The singer expresses affection for the Shenandoah river and refers to it using feminine language.
Away you rolling river,
Again acknowledging the constant movement of the river.
Oh Shenandoah I love your daughter,
Reiterating their positive feelings for the river and its surroundings.
Away I'm bound away,
The artist is still on their journey, seeming to leave the river and its area behind.
'Cross the wide Missouri
Repeating the image of crossing a river, implying progress and movement.
Oh Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you,
The singer must move on from the river, whether they want to or not.
Away you rolling river,
The river continues to move, and the artist leaves it behind in a bittersweet way.
Oh Shenandoah I'll not deceive you,
The singer promises to be honest and true to their feelings for the river and its region.
Away I'm bound away,
They acknowledge their departure and their commitment to it.
'Cross the wide Missouri
Moving towards new horizons, possibly with mixed feelings of uncertainty and excitement.
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Returning to their original sentiment, the artist longs to hear the Shenandoah river once again.
Away you rolling river,
A final nod to the fluidity and impermanence of life.
Oh Shenandoah I long to hear you,
Repeating their desire to hear the river once again, possibly as a way to cope with the sadness of leaving.
'Cross the wide Missouri
One last image of crossing a river, implying the finality of the journey depicted in the song.
Lyrics © NEXT DECADE ENTERTAINMENT,INC.
Written by: HARRY BELAFONTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
richard gornalle
A beautiful man beautifully singing this stunningly beautiful song ever so beautifully. What a voice, what a man
Norma A.Lahens
Incredibly beautiful! Love it 🥰
1earflapping
This. First heard this recording as a teen, and this was one of the most beautiful songs I’d ever heard. Still is. This version nails it.
janzal50
❤❤haunting and beautiful, love his voice
Dan Wright Gaming
Rest In Peace Mr.Belafonte 😢
Claire Lamarre-Niemi
lowkey one of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard
Kay McCastle
Such a beautiful rendition, and it definitely has a distinctive American sound to it!!!!
Sandra Vanderwood
I agree......this beautiful song is haunting and reaches the very innermost part of you Belefonte is the best
Edda Simon
Love this version🌹❤️🍀
fiquitoyunque
God bless his soul.