357. Banana Boat Song (Traditional Jamaican)

This was our final song of the night, about the time the neighbours started complaining, possibly not a good choice for 2:30 in the morning.

The song is originally from Jamaica, but was first recorded by a singer from Trinidad. A banana-wharf song sung by carriers who would work through the night loading the ships with bananas, it was first recorded in England in 1952 by Trinidadian singer Edric Connor under the name "Day Dah Light (Banana Loaders Song)," and two years later by Luise Bennett. In 1956 it was recorded by Caribbean-American singer, Harry Belafonte, under the name "Day-O," with additional lyrics by Irving Burgie and William Attaway, and, independently, by American folk-group, The Tarriers, based on a version by Bob Gibson, who had picked it up on travels to Jamaica. Their version, called "The Banana Boat Song," is actually a medley with another Jamaican folksong, "Hill and Gully Rider." Both versions were big hits. Shirley Bassey recorded it in 1957, based on the Tarriers version, but most recordings since are pretty much covers of the Belafonte rendition.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• calypso
• belafonte
• tarriers
• jamaica
• trinidad
• dayo
• hong
• kong

[toogawnjawn]

I have my own version to the lyrics, I am so poor I have to buy my bread day old.

[raymondcrooke]

@toogawnjawn lol

[nisocire]

Thank you for singing it and the information about the song. Best Wishes and keep up the good work.

[raymondcrooke]

@nisocire You're welcome. Thanks for your support.

[antifascistmilitant]

U guys rock!

[raymondcrooke]

@antifascistmilitant I don't think the neighbours would agree!

[40scars]

These guy aren't Jamaican.;)

[numbnuts234567]

If you all enjoyed yourselves, that's the important thing. It is also encouraging to others who are really, really awful but enjoy making 'music'.

[TheSweetCullen1]

Oh god I miss Jamaica right now... :')

[dynospectrum]

how the fuck is this weak cover trash gonna be one of the first to pop up when searching traditional jamaican music..i wanna hear the original version live.

[b1346]

COME MISTAH TALLY MAN, TALLY ME BANANA!