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
Water Boy
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where are you hiding?
If you don't come right here
Gonna tell your pa on you
There ain't no hammer
On this mountain
That ring like mine, boy
I'm gonna whoop this rock, boy
From here to the Macon
All the way to the jail, boy
All the way to the jail
You jack 'o diamond
Jack 'o diamond
Know you're
I know you are of old
You don't rob my pockets
Rob my pockets
Silver and gold, boy
Of silver and gold
Water boy
Where are you hiding?
If you don't come right here
Gonna tell your pa on you
There ain't no hammer
On this mountain
That ring like mine, boy
Ring like mine
Bust this rock, boy
From here to the Macon
All the way to the jail, boy
All the way to the jail
Water boy
Where are you hiding?
If you don't come right here
Gonna tell your pa on you
The song "Water Boy" by Harry Belafonte is a traditional African-American folk song that is believed to have originated during the slavery era. The song is about a slave owner who is looking for his water boy and threatening to inform the boy's father if he doesn't show up. The song also talks about the ringing sound of the hammer that the slave owner uses to break rocks, which is a metaphor for the toughness of the lifestyle of the slaves. The lyrics also mention a character called Jack o' Diamond, who is a well-known figure in African-American folklore.
The song is more than just a simple tune about a slave owner looking for his water boy. It also represents the misery and struggle of the slaves who were forced to work under inhumane conditions. The message of the song is that even though the slaves suffered greatly, they were still able to find solace in their music and in their culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Water boy
The singer is addressing someone who carries water to please come to him.
Where are you hiding?
The singer is asking where the water carrier is.
If you don't come right here
The singer is warning the water boy that if he doesn't come to him, there will be consequences.
Gonna tell your pa on you
The singer is threatening the water boy that he will inform his father if he doesn't show up.
There ain't no hammer
The singer is saying that there is no tool as powerful as his own voice.
On this mountain
The singer is referring to the place where he is standing.
That ring like mine, boy
The singer is saying that his voice is unique and unparalleled.
I'm gonna whoop this rock, boy
The singer is saying he will overcome any obstacle in his path.
From here to the Macon
The singer is describing the distance he will go to get what he wants.
All the way to the jail, boy
The singer is emphasizing the extent of his determination.
You jack 'o diamond
The singer is addressing someone he considers a slick and insincere person.
Know you're
The singer is warning the person he is addressing that he knows their true nature.
I know you are of old
The singer is saying that he has known the person he is addressing for a long time.
You don't rob my pockets
The singer is saying that the person he is addressing cannot take advantage of him.
Of silver and gold
The singer is saying that the person he is addressing cannot steal his money or resources.
Water boy
The singer repeats his initial request for the water carrier to come to him.
If you don't come right here
The singer repeats his warning to the water boy about the consequences of not showing up.
Gonna tell your pa on you
The singer repeats his threat to inform the water boy's father if he doesn't appear.
Bust this rock, boy
The singer repeats his determination to overcome obstacles.
From here to the Macon
The singer repeats the distance he is willing to go to achieve his goals.
All the way to the jail, boy
The singer repeats the extent of his determination to succeed.
Water boy
The singer repeats his initial request for the water carrier to come to him.
Where are you hiding?
The singer repeats his question about the water carrier's whereabouts.
If you don't come right here
The singer repeats his warning to the water boy about the consequences of not showing up.
Gonna tell your pa on you
The singer repeats his threat to inform the water boy's father if he doesn't appear.
There ain't no hammer
The singer repeats the power of his own voice in comparison to other tools.
On this mountain
The singer repeats the location of his current situation.
That ring like mine, boy
The singer repeats the uniqueness and power of his voice.
Ring like mine
The singer repeats the comparison of his voice to other tools.
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stevenhughes8140
❤ Hauntingly beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️
@Mjij362
Een van de beste liedjes van Harry Belafonte, over hoe getinte mensen werden behandeld , als een stuk vuil, en vrouwen werden misbruikt.zo verschrikkelijk, marian
@peacenikkie
One of Belafonte's best! Thank you so much. I have the vinyl LP somewhere ~0;-)
@eddasimon1427
Super🌹❤️🍀
@alexarolasgarcia1747
Esta buena canción la compuso AVERY ROBINSON y la canto y la publico en el año 1922 y la versiono HARRY BELAFONTE quien la canto y la publico en el año 1956
@Bluesrabbi1
Now you must check out "Seltzer Boy" by Allen sherman
@JohnHighmerSmith
Allan Sherman Seltzer Boy is why I'm here :):):)
@nedcjp
RAS-LE-BOL des publicités.