Day-O (Banana Boat)
by
Harry Belafonte
This classic calypso tune vividly portrays the lives of dock workers laboring through the night to load bananas onto ships. The repeated refrain, "Daylight come and me wanna go home," reflects their yearning for rest after a grueling shift. The tally man is a crucial figure, responsible for counting and verifying the bananas, underscoring the meticulous nature of their work. The song's vibrant imagery, such as "six foot seven foot eight foot bunch" and "hide the deadly black tarantula," adds a layer of authenticity to their experiences. Ultimately, this piece serves as a poignant reminder of the toil and aspirations of laborers in tropical regions. #LaborStruggles #CalypsoMusic #CulturalHeritage
