Harry Belafonte - Banana Boat Song Lyrics
Hi. I'm doing a folklore project and would like to know as much about this song as possible. Like are these the actual lyrics, what do some of the lyrics mean, so did workers work to pick bananas at night then rest in the daylight, why do they mention a tarantula, how much would the tally man pay, would this be exploiting the traditional folk song in a positive or negative way, what does the song mean to you, etc...? Just anything you can think of. There has been many version of this song, why do you think Harry Belafonte's version is most recognized? In the lyrics I'll put down what I learned so far. Oh, and what other type of traditional folk working song can you think of as a similarity to this, such as "I've Been Working on the Railroad...". THANKS! You could also google and let me know what you think is interesting.
Day-o, Day-ay-ay-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Me say day, me say day-ay-ay-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Work all night on a drink a' rum (Do they drink in the day, why work at night?)
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Stack banana till the mornin' come
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana (Tally Man pays the workers)
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana
Daylight come and me wan' go home
It's six foot, seven foot, eight foot BUNCH! (The lengths each banana stacks from their stems)
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Six foot, seven foot, eight foot BUNCH!
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day-ay-ay-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day...
Daylight come and me wan' go home
A beautiful bunch a' ripe banana
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Hide the deadly black tarantula (what does this mean?)
Daylight come and me wan' go home
It's six foot, seven foot, eight foot BUNCH!
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Six foot, seven foot, eight foot BUNCH!
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day-ay-ay-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day...
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day-o, day-ay-ay-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Me say day, me say day-ay-ay-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Comment