Born in Keyport, New Jersey, Hall received classical training at Juilliard School. In the early 1930s she was a special soloist and assistant director for the Hall Johnson Choir. A leading black Broadway performer in her day, she was personally chosen by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II to perform the roles she played in the musicals South Pacific and Flower Drum Song, as a Pacific Islander and a Chinese-American, respectively. In 1950, she became the first African-American to win a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Bloody Mary in South Pacific. She also starred in the 1954 Broadway musical House of Flowers.
In 1958 she reprised Bloody Mary in the film version of South Pacific, for which her singing part was dubbed, at Richard Rodgers's request, by Muriel Smith who had played the role in the London production.
Hall married actor Clement Hall while in her teens. He died in the 1920s, and they had no children. Hall, a diabetic, died from complications of her illness in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York.
Bali Ha'i
Juanita Hall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lost in the middle of a foggy sea
Most people long for another island
One where they know they would like to be
Bali Haβ²i may call you
Any night, any day
In your heart you'll hear it call you
Come away, come away
Here am I, your special island
Come to me, come to me
Your own special hopes,
Your own special dreams
Loom on the hillside and shine in the Streams
If you try, you will find me
Where the sky meets the sea
Here am I your special island
Come to me, come to me
Bali Ha'i, Bali Ha'i, Bali Haβ²i
Some day youβ²ll see me
Floating in the sunshine
My head sticking out from a low flying Cloud
You'll hear me call you
Singing through the sunshine
Sweet and near as can be
Come to me, here am I
Come to me
Try, youβ²ll find me
Where the sky meets the sea
Hear am I, your special island
Come to me, come to me
Bali Ha'i, Bali Haβ²i, Bali Ha'i
The song "Bali Ha'i" is from the musical South Pacific by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The singer, Lieutenant Joseph Cable, falls in love with a Polynesian woman named Liat while stationed in the South Pacific. The song "Bali Ha'i" is sung by Bloody Mary, a Tonkinese woman who lives on the island of Bali Ha'i and is trying to convince Cable to come with her to the island.
The lyrics speak of the loneliness that many people feel in their lives, and how they long for a different place, a special island where their hopes and dreams may come true. Bali Ha'i is presented as this magical island, calling out to those who may be lost and in need of a new direction. The lyrics are evocative, painting a picture of a beautiful and enchanted place where anything is possible. The song is a powerful expression of the desire for escape, as well as the possibility of finding a new home somewhere unexpected.
Interestingly, Bali Ha'i was not an actual place when the musical was written. The idea of the island was inspired by the island of Bali in Indonesia, but the island in the musical is entirely fictional. Additionally, the song has been covered by a wide range of artists, including Tony Bennett, Elvis Presley, and the punk band the Dead Kennedys. Despite being over 70 years old, the song's message about the desire for escape and the search for a better life is still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Most people live on a lonely island
A majority of people are emotionally isolated and disconnected from others.
Lost in the middle of a foggy sea
They feel lost and uncertain about their direction in life.
Most people long for another island
They yearn for a better life, away from their current situation.
One where they know they would like to be
They have a clear vision of their ideal life.
Bali Haβ²i may call you
Bali Ha'i has an irresistible allure that may draw you in.
Any night, any day
It has an unpredictable, mysterious quality that can captivate you at any time.
In your heart you'll hear it call you
You'll feel a strong emotional pull towards Bali Ha'i.
Come away, come away
It beckons you to leave your current life behind and come to Bali Ha'i.
Bali Haβ²i will whisper on the wind of the sea
The allure of Bali Ha'i is carried on the breeze of the ocean, which heightens its mystique.
Here am I, your special island
Bali Ha'i is a unique, beautiful place that can fulfill your deepest desires.
Come to me, come to me
It invites you to come and explore its wonders.
Your own special hopes,
Your unique dreams and aspirations.
Your own special dreams
Your deepest desires and longings.
Loom on the hillside and shine in the Streams
Bali Ha'i is a place that can make your dreams a reality.
If you try, you will find me
If you make an effort, you can discover the magic of Bali Ha'i.
Where the sky meets the sea
It's a place of natural beauty where the sky and ocean converge.
Bali Ha'i, Bali Ha'i, Bali Haβ²i
The enchanting name of the special island.
Some day youβ²ll see me
You may see Bali Ha'i in your dreams, desires or visions.
Floating in the sunshine
Bali Ha'i is a vibrant, sunny place full of energy and vitality.
My head sticking out from a low flying Cloud
It's a mystical, otherworldly place that can sometimes feel out of reach.
You'll hear me call you
It's a place that can call to your soul and stir your imagination.
Singing through the sunshine
It's a joyful, lively place that can lift your spirits and energize your soul.
Sweet and near as can be
It's an inviting, welcoming place that can make you feel at home.
Try, youβ²ll find me
If you make an effort, you can discover the magic of Bali Ha'i.
Here am I, your special island
Bali Ha'i is a unique, beautiful place that can fulfill your deepest desires.
Bali Ha'i, Bali Haβ²i, Bali Ha'i
The enchanting name of the special island.
Writer(s): O Hammerstein, R Rodgers, R. Rodgers
Contributed by Violet P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@personaljesus5914
Most people live on a lonely island
Lost in the middle of a foggy sea
Most people long for another island
One where they know they would like to be
Bali Ha'i may call you
Any night, any day
In your heart you'll hear it call you
Come away, come away
Bali Ha'i will whisper on the wind of the sea
Here am I, your special island
Come to me, come to me
Your own special hopes,
Your own special dreams
Loom on the hillside and shine in the Streams
If you try, you will find me
Where the sky meets the sea
Here am I your special island
Come to me, come to me
Bali Ha'i, Bali Ha'i, Bali Ha'i
Some day you'll see me
Floating in the sunshine
My head sticking out from a low flying Cloud
You'll hear me call you
Singing through the sunshine
Sweet and near as can be
Come to me, here am I
Come to me
Try, you'll find me
Where the sky meets the sea
Hear am I, your special island
Come to me, come to me
Bali Ha'i, Bali Ha'i, Bali Ha'i
@domainofthesun4400
One of the most compelling voices ever recorded. Thank heaven we have the original cast recording.
@edemontfort9482
I was in the South Pacific when I was a teenager. I attended a local high school on a cliff overlooking miles of sea. One day during class I heard the chorus downstairs softly singing this song. It was magical, perfectly capturing the sound of whispering palms and waves. Rogers and Hammerstein were geniuses and Juanita Hall was unforgettable.
@Owlzindabarn
So much more gravitas to this scene with her own voice.
@virginiaclark2476
Beautiful, Juanita. God rest your soulπ
@Cl4rendon
I had no clue! I was wondering from the very beginning in the dubbed version, that something was "weird" about the voice / person combination - Now hearing this, it`s a more authentic voice which has more strength in it.
@BariumCobaltNitrog3n
what other musicians / singers do you like? I like Michael Buble and Paloma Faith
@missjune1955
Beautiful voice!!
@joan-mariacbrooks
She taught at the Julliard; released a few albums which I've been able to get. One of which was an album of Stephen Foster songs. I learned after my grandmother's death she was a first cousin, once removed to my mother and I've been mistaken for her at least twice. Our family is of Indigenous descent although I've read she was categorized as Black. A wonderful singer and this is my favorite performance.
@BFDT-4
TO ME, Juanita was my tΓa especial of the Broadway stage, film, records and much more. In this song, she is everyone's relative, she is everyone's spirit of hope and love. I am so happy to see the video blended with her true voice (no offense to Muriel Smith, for they worked together on the film project like professionals, and Muriel Smith herself was a wonderful actress and singer).
I wish that I had once met her. I overlapped time spans with her. But the cards were not there.
Here, for the record is Muriel Smith:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muriel_Smith_(singer)
@reneedaughter
@ Joan-Maria Brooks. Juanita Hall had a white mother and a (Black) African American Father. It could be that her father had an indigenous ancestor. Many African Americans do.