Day Dah Light
Louise Bennett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day dah light on me won't go home
Come missa tally man and tally me banana
Day dah light on me won't go home
Day dah light on me won't go home
Day dah light on me won't go home
Six han', seven han', eight han, bunch!
Day dah light on me won't go home
?
Day dah light on me won't go home
No give so a bunch ?
Day dah light on me won't go home
Six han', seven han', eight han, bunch!
Day dah light on me won't go home
Six han', seven han', eight han, bunch!
Day dah light on me won't go home
They check a man a check but they check with cash
Day dah light on me won't go home
Me back this a broke pure exhaustion
Day dah light on me won't go home
Day dah light on me won't go home
Day dah light on me won't go home
The lyrics to Louise Bennett's song "Day Dah Light" describe a laborer's tiredness and reluctance to continue working as the day wears on. The repeated phrase "Day dah light on me won't go home" emphasizes the desire to stop working and go home. The request for "missa tally man" to tally the bananas suggests that the song is set in a plantation, where workers were often paid based on how much fruit they picked. The counting of the bananas, "six han', seven han', eight han, bunch," further reinforces this idea.
The line "No give so a bunch ?" could be interpreted as the singer questioning whether or not they will receive a bunch of bananas to take home after a long day's work. The use of Jamaican patois throughout the song adds to its authenticity and cultural significance.
Overall, the song speaks to the exhaustion and hardships faced by laborers in Jamaica's history. It is a powerful commentary on the toll that physical labor can take on a person, and the desire for rest and home at the end of the day.
Line by Line Meaning
Day dah light on me won't go home
I have been working all day and the sun is still shining, I just want to go home
Come missa tally man and tally me banana
Someone come and count my bananas, I want to leave and go home
Six han', seven han', eight han, bunch!
I have a lot of bananas to count before I can go home
No give so a bunch ?
Don't just give me a bunch of bananas, I need to count them first
They check a man a check but they check with cash
Workers are being paid with cash instead of a proper paycheck
Me back this a broke pure exhaustion
I am physically exhausted from carrying these heavy bananas on my back
Day dah light on me won't go home
It's still light out and I can't go home yet
Day dah light on me won't go home
I am tired and want to go home, but the sun is still shining
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TRAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@candicehem7612
I remember my Nan singing this song to me and my siblings when we where young. Memoriesx
@baywestproeyecare8183
Menny rivers to cross but i know he is going to do it for me in Jesus name amen ❤👀
@shanakay5789
I LOVE IT 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 Miss Lou is a true Jamaican icon don't you agree
@Pylliwigins
For me it's the best ever recorded version of this traditional tune.
@2cents4u
👀 😱 Wow this classic goes way back!
@beetrootreggae4786
Great Ms Lou was a friend to many of the Beetroot Reggae Show performers on the Beetroot Reggae Show Channel on YOUTUBE. All Ms Lou works performed with permission from Louise Bennett Estate.
@thatoneperson-td1st
R.I.P
@hikerx9366
I LOVE IT....❤❤❤❤❤❤🎶🎶🎶
@candicehem7612
Love This. ❤
@jackmighty2962
Love you Miss Lou ♥️🙏💗✊🎶