The Marching Saints
Harry Belafonte Lyrics

Hey! Matilda, Matilda, Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela.
The singer introduces Matilda, who took his money and fled to Venezuela.

Once again now!
The singer repeats the introduction of Matilda.

Five hundred dollars, friends, I lost:
The singer reveals the amount of money he lost to Matilda.

Woman even sell me cat and horse!
The artist laments the extent of Matilda's betrayal by selling his beloved possessions.

Heya! Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela.
The artist repeats the introduction of Matilda, expressing his frustration and anger.

(Matilda,) Sing out the chorus,
The singer invites the audience to join him in singing the chorus of the song, featuring Matilda's name.

(Matilda,) Sing a little louder,
The singer urges the audience to sing the chorus with more enthusiasm and volume.

Matilda, she take me money and run Venezuela.
The chorus repeats the central message of the song, emphasizing that Matilda took the artist's money and disappeared to Venezuela.

Going 'round the corner,
The artist paints a picture of Matilda sneaking around the corner, likely to escape undetected.

Well, the money was to buy me house an' lan'
The artist reveals the purpose of the money he lost to Matilda, which was to buy property.

Then she got a serious plan,
The singer implies that Matilda had a nefarious motive, beyond simply taking his money.

A-hey, ah!
The artist interjects a sound of frustration or disappointment.

Everybody!
The singer urges everyone to join him in singing the chorus, emphasizing the universality of his experience with Matilda.

Well, the money was just inside me bed,
The singer reveals the location where he kept his money, which was inside his bed.

Stuck up in a pillow beneath me head.
The singer provides further details about where his money was kept, namely, inside a pillow under his head.

Don't you know,
The artist is attempting to draw attention to what he is about to reveal.

Matilda, she found me money and...
The artist reveals that Matilda discovered his hidden money.

Women over forty?
The singer interrupts his own song to ask a question, perhaps to express his disbelief.

Everybody!
The singer resumes the chorus, encouraging everyone to sing along.

Bring me little water,
The artist asks someone to bring him a drink of water, likely because he is thirsty from singing.

Well, me friends, never to love again,
The artist suggests that he will become more cautious in the future, and be more careful about trusting others.

All me money gone in vain!
The artist laments the loss of his money, which was taken from him by Matilda.

Uh, heya...
The singer interjects a sound expressing his frustration or sadness.

Oom, ba-locka-chimba!
The artist uses nonsense sounds to express emotion, without conveying meaning in words.

Sing a little softer!
The singer asks the audience to sing the chorus more quietly and gently.

EVERYBODY!
The singer encourages everyone to join him in the song, emphasizing that this is a communal experience.

Sing out the chorus!
The singer urges the audience to sing the chorus at the top of their lungs, with enthusiasm and passion.