The Belafonte Folk Singers usually consisted of 11-12 singers and musicians at one time, all male. Its members were mostly African American, although the group also included white members. The group had high turnover, and around 40 singers were a part of the group at one time or another during its lifetime. Garrett Morris performed with the group early in his career.
The group released three of their own albums, and sang backup on five albums by Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba.
Alumni of The Belafonte Folk Singers went on to form the De Cormier Singers, The Phoenix Singers and the Seafarers Chorus.
The Belafonte Folk Singers won the Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording at the 4th Annual Grammy Awards for their 1961 album Belafonte Folk Singers at Home and Abroad. Two other albums on which they appeared won the same award: the 1960 Harry Belafonte album Swing Dat Hammer and the 1965 album An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba.
Robert De Cormier (January 7, 1922 – November 7, 2017) was an American musical conductor, arranger, and director. He arranged music for many singers and groups, including Harry Belafonte and Peter, Paul, and Mary, and worked with Milt Okun.
Try To Remember
The Belafonte Folk Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When life was slow and oh
so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember and if you remember
follow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
When no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
When dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
When love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember and if you remember
then follow
follow.
Deep in December it's nice to remember
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December it's nice to remember
Without a hurt the heart will hollow.
Deep in December
it's nice to remember
The fire of September that made you mellow.
Deep in December our hearts should remember and follow
follow.
"Try to Remember" by The Belafonte Folk Singers is a melancholic song that speaks about nostalgia and reflection on pleasant times gone by. The song urges listeners to remember the kind of September when life was slow, and everything felt calm and serene. It speaks about the beauty of the September month when grass was green, and the grain was yellow. The song paints a vivid picture of a time when one was young and inexperienced, and all seemed tender and effortless. The chorus urges the listener to remember this time and to follow their hearts' desires.
The song's second verse speaks about the tenderness of life when everything felt delicate and innocent. The lyrics refer to a time when only the willow wept, and dreams were held close to one's heart, ready to be pursued. The lyrics reflect on the time when love was only a small ember, waiting to burn and blossom into something more significant. The song acknowledges the beauty of these moments and encourages listeners to remember them and follow their hearts.
The last verse of the song speaks about December and the significance of remembering the good times even as winter approaches. The lyrics point out how, with the coming of winter, life can become challenging, and emotions can be raw. But even then, it's essential to remember the fire of September, the warmth and comfort it brought, and the feeling of being mellow that it evoked. The song concludes by urging listeners to remember these moments and following their hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
Try to remember the kind of September
Reflect on the memory of a specific month in the past
When life was slow and oh so mellow.
When everything was calm and peaceful
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
The colours of nature belonged to the fall season
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
When you were young and inexperienced
Try to remember and if you remember then follow follow.
If the mentioned memories arise, reliving it and embracing it could make one feel better
Try to remember when life was so tender
Think of a time when life was delicate and sensitive
When no one wept except the willow.
When only trees seemed to have a soul and expressed sorrow
When dreams were kept beside your pillow.
When aspirations and hopes were as close as next to one's sleeping place
When love was an ember about to billow.
When affection was as chilly as a slow-burning campfire
Deep in December it's nice to remember
During the chilly winter, recollecting past memories could prove to be delightful
Although you know the snow will follow.
Even though you understand that the season's mood could change drastically
Without a hurt the heart will hollow.
Without hardships in life, one could feel an emotional void
The fire of September that made you mellow.
The warm memory of a former state of calm and tranquillity
Deep in December our hearts should remember and follow follow.
During winter, one should attempt to lower the temperature of life's complications and welcome the warmth of memories.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARVEY SCHMIDT, TOM JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gessie713
Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh
so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember and if you remember
then follow
follow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
When no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
When dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
When love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember and if you remember
then follow
follow.
Deep in December it's nice to remember
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December it's nice to remember
Without a hurt the heart will hollow.
Deep in December
it's nice to remember
The fire of September that made you mellow.
Deep in December our hearts should remember and follow
follow.
@michelstevaert2642
Un géant nous a quitté. Harry berce les dieux.
@saxavenue
RIP monsieur Belafonte
@monikasn4938
Ruhe in Frieden, die Welt sagt Danke für die schönen Lieder
@dagmarkunzel5406
R.I.P. Harry Belafonte. Ich liebe deine Musik.
@robbertveninga9180
RIP Harry Belafonte
@irmaravila132
Today we remember Harry Belafonte himself.
Rest in peace.
@b.silberfee479
RIP lieber harry belafonte - danke für alles mein ❤bleibt bei dir
@andreasclausen-dreher6861
Mein Lieblings Lied von Harry Belafonte, RIP
@christinegestas1659
Magnifique voix, Magnifique chanson ❤❤❤❤❤
@fainak5830
May his memory be eternal 🙏 ❤❤❤