Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)

[Intro]
Day O (Day O)
You’re not ready yet?
Day O (Day O)
Oh, you’re still not ready?

[Instrumental, Guitar Solo]

[Refrain]
Day O (Day O) Day O (Day O)
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Me say day, me say day-o
Daylight come and me wan’ go home

[Verse]
Work all night on a drink of rum
Daylight come and me wanna’ go home
Stack bananas ’til the mornin’ come
Daylight come and me wanna’ go home

[Refrain]
Day O (Day O) Day O (Day O)
Day, me say day-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

[Verse]
Come, mister tallyman, tally me banana
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
Come, mister tally man, tally me banana
Daylight come and me wan’ go home

[Verse]
Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
(Woah) Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch
Daylight come and me wan’ go home

[Refrain]
Day O (Day O) Day O (Day O)
Day, me say day-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

[Outro]
Day O (Day O) Day O (Day O)
Day, me say day, me say day, day O
Daylight come and me wan’ go home

ABOUT THE SONG
“Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” is a Jamaican folk song with roots in the daily work chants of dockworkers. The song originated as a call-and-response chant used by banana field workers who worked at night loading ships with fruit, particularly during the 19th century when Jamaica’s banana industry was prominent. The lyrics reflect the workers’ desire to finish their labor at daybreak and be paid for their toil. The song became internationally famous when popularized by Harry Belafonte in 1956, showcasing the rich tradition of Caribbean folk music.

Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)

“Ocho Rios Rendezvous” by Narley Marley

MegaEpix Enormous

BANDS & PROJECTS