They left for San Francisco in 1959, where they met Mort Lewis, Dave Brubeck's manager. Lewis became their manager and later that year secured them a contract with Columbia Records. Their second single, "Greenfields," released in January 1960, hit #2 on the pop charts, and their first album, Brothers Four, released toward the end of the year, made the top 20. Other highlights of their early career included singing their fourth single, "The Green Leaves of Summer," from the John Wayne movie The Alamo, at the 1961 Academy Awards, and having their second album, BMOC/Best Music On/Off Campus, go top 10. They also recorded the theme song for the ABC television series Hootenanny, "Hootenanny Saturday Night," in 1963.
The British Invasion and the ascendance of such folk musicians as Bob Dylan put an end to the Brothers Four's early period of success, but they kept performing and making records, doing particularly well in Japan and on the American hotel circuit.
The band attempted a comeback by recording a highly commercial version of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." But the band was unable to release it because of licensing issues, and The Byrds eventually stole their thunder by releasing their heralded version.
Mike Kirkland left the group in 1969, and was replaced by Mark Pearson, another University of Washington alumnus. In 1971, Pearson left and was replaced by Bob Haworth, who stayed until 1989 and was replaced by a returning Pearson. Dick Foley left the group in 1990 and was replaced by Terry Lauber. Despite all the changes and having spent 47 years in the business, the group is still active today (2004).
Jamaica Farewell
The Brothers Four Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reach Jamaica I made a stop
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls swaying to and fro
I must declare, my heart is there
Tho' I've been from Maine to Mexico
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bare
Ackey rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year
But, I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston...
The Brothers Four's classic Jamaica Farewell is a bittersweet farewell to the island nation of Jamaica. The song paints a vivid picture of the island's vibrant culture and landscape, but also conveys a deep sense of longing and regret. The lyrics describe the singer's travels around Jamaica, taking in the sights and sounds of the island's markets and festivities, but ultimately being forced to leave behind someone dear to his heart.
The opening lines of the song, "Down the way where the nights are gay, and the sun shines daily on the mountain top," conjure up images of a carefree, idyllic place. The singer then describes his sailing trip to Jamaica, marking the beginning of his adventure on the island. He marvels at the sounds of laughter and the dancing girls, and declares that his heart is in Jamaica, despite his travels across the globe.
However, despite his love for the island, the singer is forced to leave, and the deep sadness and regret are palpable in the song's signature lines, "But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way, won't be back for many a day...I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town." The song captures the sense of heartache and longing that come with leaving behind loved ones and familiar places.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the way where the nights are gay
I traveled to a place where people are happy and the nightlife is thriving
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
The weather was sunny and beautiful, with the sun shining down on the mountaintops
I took a trip on a sailing ship
I traveled to my destination on a sailboat
And when I reach Jamaica I made a stop
I made a stop in Jamaica during my travels
But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Unfortunately, I am leaving soon
Won't be back for many a day
I won't be returning for a while
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I am feeling sad and disoriented
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I was forced to leave behind a girl I cared about in Kingston town
Sounds of laughter everywhere
There was laughter and joy all around me
And the dancing girls swaying to and fro
I saw girls dancing in a carefree manner
I must declare, my heart is there
I feel strongly connected to this place
Tho' I've been from Maine to Mexico
Even though I have traveled to many places
Down at the market you can hear
At the marketplace, people can be heard
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bare
Women shout while balancing things on their head
Ackee rice, salt fish are nice
Food like ackee rice and salted fish are delicious
And the rum is fine any time of year
The rum is of good quality all year long
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I am still feeling sad and disoriented
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I had to leave behind someone I cared about in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I am still feeling sad and disoriented
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
I had to leave behind someone I cared about in Kingston town
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I am still feeling sad and disoriented
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston...
I had to leave behind someone I cared about in Kingston town, and the thought still bothers me
Contributed by Thomas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leonor Sabino
Linda musica
Ken Ostrow
Sounds very good.....relaxing and pleasant
Rolando Sta. Cruz
the blending is just superb except that at some point the melody deviates. oh boy, the string and strumming is pretty remarkable
RESENDE UNE VERSOS
SO SWEET VOICES. "HONEY BROTHERS "FLOR EVER"". LIFE IS ETERNALLY BEAUTIFUL. AGRADEÇO.
Karlo Montausir
Pavel Bobek, to nazpíval moc dobře.
Neil Gomez
My father told me that this band is my grandfather's favorite. Too bad, I'm jaz 1yr old when he passed away.
uranne
Easy listening
Felix Sylvain
Bon.groupe.de.chanteurs.de.balade
Felix Sylvain
Ma.balade.preferer.de.groupe.folk.american.merci.youtube
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 73yo Aussie fan.
Rolando--the melody comment is a little harsh.