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
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Were you there when they crucified my Lord ?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord ?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree ?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree ?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree ?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side ?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they pierced him in the side ?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb ?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb ?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb ?
The lyrics to Harry Belafonte's song "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord" describe the events leading up to and including Jesus Christ's crucifixion. The song asks the listener if they were present during these events, leaving the listener to reflect on their own connection to Jesus and their faith.
The song begins with the first verse, asking if the listener was present when Jesus was crucified. The repetition of the question emphasizes the gravity of the event and highlights the idea that being present during such a momentous occasion can leave a lasting impact on a person.
The second and third verses ask if the listener was present when Jesus was nailed to the tree and pierced in the side, respectively. The use of the word "tree" instead of "cross" is significant because it harkens back to the Old Testament where the punishment for a criminal was to be hung from a tree. By using this word, the song connects Jesus to the Old Testament and emphasizes the idea that his death was a form of punishment.
The final verse asks if the listener was present when Jesus was laid in the tomb. This moment is especially significant because it is the beginning of the resurrection story. The use of the word "tremble" throughout the song suggests a sense of fear or awe that the presence of Jesus can inspire.
In summary, "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord" is a song that asks the listener to reflect on their faith and their connection to Jesus. The repetition of the question and the use of words like "tree" and "tremble" emphasize the significant impact that Jesus' death and resurrection can have on a person.
Line by Line Meaning
Were you there when they crucified my Lord ?
Did you witness the moment when they hung my Lord on the cross?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree ?
Did you see when they nailed him to the wooden cross?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side ?
Were you present when they stabbed him in the chest with the spear?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb ?
Did you witness when they laid his body in the grave?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble
The thought of what he went through can sometimes make me shake with fear and sorrow.
Contributed by Vivian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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 !