1) The Par… Read Full Bio ↴Three groups have recorded under the name "The Paragons".
1) The Paragons was an influential rocksteady band from Kingston, Jamaica, operating in the 1960s.
2) The Paragons was a doo wop group perhaps best known for their 1957 single Florence.
3.) Charlotte, NC, '60s garage band. "I saw Abba late last night."
1) If you're familiar with the song "The Tide Is High" you probably know it as a huge hit for Blondie, but before Deborah Harry and company got a hold of it, it was a 1960s hit in for the Paragons. Formed in Kingston Jamaica, the Paragons were originally made up of Garth "Tyrone" Evans, Bob Andy, Junior Menz, and Leroy Stamp. In 1964, just before they broke big in Jamaica, Stamp was replaced by John Holt, and Menz (who left to join another Jamaican vocal group the Techniques) was replaced by Howard Barret. The early Paragons sound is heavily influence by American soul music and the singing is in the familiar tight, interlocking harmony style of Jamaican vocal trios and quartets of the early '60s. In 1964, the group caught the attention of legendary producer Coxsone Dodd who immediately brought the group to Jamiaca's famous Studio One and under the watchful eyes and ears of Duke Reid (who became the group's mentor) cut a succession of popular singles such as "Love At Last" and "Good Luck and Goodbye" for Reid's label Treasure Isle.
Not long after this first flush of success Bob Andy quit the group and the Paragons stopped recording as John Holt (who by this point had emerged as the group's leader) decided that the group should soften their soulful sound and go for a more root-heavy rock steady approach. It turned out to be a good idea as the Paragons became the most popular rock-steady vocal act in Jamaica and in Britain. But money problems, specifically issues over why the group wasn't rich after more than a dozen number one Jamaican hits, led to the band's breakup. Of the members only John Holt went on to have a significant solo career. Still, the Paragons recordings, including "The Tide Is High," are some of the most wonderful and sublime moments in Jamaican pop.
Island In The Sun
The Paragons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where my people have toiled since time begun
I may sail on many a sea
Her shores will always be home to me
Oh, island in the sun
build to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
As morning breaks the heaven on high
I lift my heavy load to the sky
Sun comes down with a burning glow
Mingles my sweat with the earth below
Oh, island in the sun
build to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
I see woman on bended knee
Cutting cane for her family
I see man at the waterside
Casting nets at the surging tide
Oh, island in the sun
build to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
I pray the day will never come
When I can't awake to the sound of drum
Never let me miss carnival
With calypso songs philosophical
Oh, island in the sun
build to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
The lyrics to The Paragons' song Island In The Sun pay homage to the singer's homeland, a beautiful island where his people have lived and worked for generations. He sees it as his true home, even when sailing on distant seas. In the first verse, he proclaims that his island was built by his father's hand, and throughout the song, he sings of the island's natural beauty - its forest, waters, and shining sand. He also recognizes the hard work of his people, as he observes a woman cutting cane for her family and a man casting nets into the tide.
The second verse paints a picture of a new day breaking over the island, with the singer lifting his heavy load to the sky in gratitude. The sun beats down on him, mingling his sweat with the earth below. The final verse speaks to the singer's fear that he may one day be unable to appreciate the island's unique culture and beauty. He prays that he will never miss carnival, with its calypso music and philosophical songs.
Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the singer's home, and to the hardworking and resilient people who call it home. The lyrics speak not only to the island's natural beauty but also to the rich cultural heritage that defines it.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my island in the sun
The singer claims the island as his own.
Where my people have toiled since time begun
The singer acknowledges the history of the island and the efforts made by his people over generations.
I may sail on many a sea
The singer may travel to other places.
Her shores will always be home to me
The island will always be the singer's home and hold a special place in his heart.
Oh, island in the sun
A refrain expressing affection for the island.
Build to me by my father's hand
The island is constructed by the singer's ancestors and is a source of pride and connection.
All my days I will sing in praise
The singer will always celebrate the island and its natural beauty.
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
The singer admires the island's natural features, highlighting its lush greenery, clear waters, and sparkling sand.
As morning breaks the heaven on high
The start of a new day is greeted with reverence and appreciation for the beauty of the sky.
I lift my heavy load to the sky
The singer works hard, but pauses to appreciate and give thanks for the beauty of the island.
Sun comes down with a burning glow
The heat from the sun is intense.
Mingles my sweat with the earth below
The singer's labor mixes with the soil of the island, emphasizing the connection between the people and the land.
I see woman on bended knee
The singer observes women working in the fields, performing back-breaking labor.
Cutting cane for her family
The women are working to provide for their families and communities.
I see man at the waterside
The singer also observes men working.
Casting nets at the surging tide
The men are fishing, another important trade on the island.
I pray the day will never come
The singer expresses a fear of losing his connection to the island.
When I can't awake to the sound of drum
The singer wants to always wake up to the sound of the drums, which are an essential part of the island's culture.
Never let me miss carnival
The singer hopes to always be present for the island's annual carnival celebration.
With calypso songs philosophical
The music of the carnival is enlightening, with lyrics that impart wisdom and insight.
Contributed by Lillian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Debi Irawan
This is my island in the sun
Where my people have toiled since time begun
I may sail on many a sea
Her shores will always be home to me
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
As morning breaks the heaven on high
I lift my heavy load to the sky
Sun comes down with a burning glow
Mingles my sweat with the earth below
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
I saw woman on bended knees
Cutting cane for her family
I saw man at the waterside
Casting nets at the surging tide
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
I pray the day will never come
When I can't awake to the sound of drums
Never let me miss carnival
With calypso songs philosophical
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters and shining sand
DZ
Love it. This music makes life feel like a movie.
Dídac
DZ yes 😍
1voyher1
what a voice he had - great vocals / backing
Chivaskin Lbdch
de mis favoritas exquisitamente maravillosa
Debi Irawan
This is my island in the sun
Where my people have toiled since time begun
I may sail on many a sea
Her shores will always be home to me
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
As morning breaks the heaven on high
I lift my heavy load to the sky
Sun comes down with a burning glow
Mingles my sweat with the earth below
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
I saw woman on bended knees
Cutting cane for her family
I saw man at the waterside
Casting nets at the surging tide
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
I pray the day will never come
When I can't awake to the sound of drums
Never let me miss carnival
With calypso songs philosophical
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters and shining sand
Sir Lyle
Yes, this is 100,000 volts of Holt & the Paragons. I can't forget those days.
Monica Creary
These. Songs. With. THe. Memories. Gives me the chills. Rip brother. John
Remembering 1992
These guys are good!
#DMJ - Reggae
Great tune ✔
Errol Bogle
cant stop loving this. wicked music.