Banana Boat Song (Day-o), The
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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
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
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!
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
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
Banana Boat Song (Day-o), The Alternative Lyrics
Come mister tally man tally me bananas
Day is breaking I wanna go home
Come here for work, i didn't come here for to idle
Day is Breaking i wanna go home
Three han' Four han' Five han bunch!
Six han seven han eight han bunch!
Day is breaking i wanna go home.
So check them and check them but with caution!
Day is breaking I wanna go home
My back is breaking with bare exhaustion
Day is breaking i wanna go home
I wanna go home.
Information About Banana Boat Song (Day-o), The
The origins of "The Banana Boat Song" are not known completely and it’s the same for its author but we know for sure that this is a Jamaican folk song. The most interesting thing about this folk song is that it was originally sung by the banana field workers of Jamaica.
The melody was very much a calypso style of singing but different locals improvised their own lyrics from time to time often their most common reference "daylight come and we wan" go home". This song was also frequently sung by dock workers who worked during the dark shift loading bananas onto ships.
The first recorded version was took place in 1952 when Trinidadian singer Edric Conner who along with his band "The Caribbean’s" recorded this song onto his album "Songs From Jamaica “and named the song "Day De Light". Song lyrics were written by Ivrine Burgie from the island of Barbados.
Daylight has come, the shift is over and they want their work to be counted up so that they can go home (this is the meaning of the lyric "Come, Mr. Tally Man, tally me banana/ Daylight come and we wanna go home").
The song is perhaps best known for being used in the comedy film Beetle Juice. In the dinner scene, the guests become possessed and sing and dance to the song.
For further information about the song "The Banana Boat Song (Day-o)", check out Wikipedia.
Banana Boat Song (Day-o), The Video
User Comments Banana Boat Song (Day-o), The (119)
By Josef Holzer from Fountain Valley Usa on 13 November 2008
Remember this song because I was an Episode of Jefferson's with this song!
By Sophie from Invercargill, New Zealand on 24 November 2008
I agree with Brenda! LOL
By Peter Louw from South Africa, Johannesburg on 3 December 2008
I saw the dvd of the making of 'USA FOR AFRICA' that famous song; 'We are the world we are the children' and all thet mega stars of were warming up their voices with this song. It was quite good to hear all singing along at once. MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!
By Sinead O Mahony from Ireland on 9 December 2008
my dad used to sings this at parties since I was a kid, I love it and its rootiness.
By Ronald from El Salvador on 28 December 2008
really nice song, and very fun video!
By Brandon from Baltimore, United States on 31 December 2008
I love this song. The video was so silly that I cannot stop singing it.
By Vaishy from Canada on 10 February 2009
This song is so cool. We played in class! It is a nice song to hear everyday! I agree with everyone who likes this song.
By Elaina from Atlanta Usa on 15 February 2009
i sang this song in fourth grade my class loved it it was my all time fav song
By Ismael from Delavan Wisconsin on 26 February 2009
i love this song its so talented
By Peter Jackson from Smegol, Golom on 9 March 2009
a beautiful bunch, a ripe banana!
By Charlie from England on 12 March 2009
A really funny and cool song to hear and to sing
By Cyril from Marseille France on 17 March 2009
Well well well , what can i say more , you've said everything already ! You can hear it in Spin City too . GREAT SONG !
By Enyonam from London on 25 March 2009
I am going to play Day-o this thursday at st thomas college with my school ochestra
By Anika from Germany on 27 March 2009
I've heard this song in school. It's a great song!
By Leia from New Jersey on 11 April 2009
My dad started singing this song to me and I LOVED IT!
By Melissa from Orlando, Fl on 16 April 2009
My 4 year old son learned this song in pre-K and I heard him singing it for the first time yesterday. I thought it was the cutest thing. I haven't been able to stop singing it either. We found an old video online of Harry Belafonte performing it with the muppets. Too cute!
By Kang And Kodos from Maryland, Us on 22 April 2009
This is our favorite song and will use it to enslave human minds as we conqeur your planet!
By Stephanie Solano from Cali, Colombia on 1 May 2009
personalmente, esta canción es de las mejores que he escuchado, desde que tengo memoria.. me encanta su sabor y su ritmo tan inigualable...
By Nicole from Ny (not The Big Apple) on 10 May 2009
my family knows this song by heart ill never forget it
By Johnnie Mazzer from Hollywood Ca Usa on 17 May 2009
my grandfather used to play this song on his record player while babysitting my brothers & sister & me when we were little kids growing up in NJ =)
By Rasha from Pembroke Usa on 30 May 2009
its funny i love this song so does my brother
By Rasha from Usa Pembroke on 31 May 2009
i will never forget this song i love the song so so so much i also love the video it is so funny it rocks the best
By Brian from Mississauga Canada on 11 June 2009
All these comments and not a single mention of harry Bellafonte who made this song famous! This song was on the first album that ever sold a million copies and remained in the top 10 on the charts for over a year!
By Shae from Orlando on 19 June 2009
Brian in Mississauga Canada please see below of post by Melissa in Orlando: By Melissa in Orlando, Fl on 16 April 2009 My 4 year old son learned this song in pre-K and I heard him singing it for the first time yesterday. I thought it was the cutest thing. I haven't been able to stop singing it either. We found an old video online of Harry Belafonte performing it with the muppets. Too cute!
By Elise from French on 9 September 2009
Day----o Trop génial! Beetlejuice :) I like it.
By Joshua from Portsmouth,uk on 6 October 2009
I luv this song.I've never seen Beetlejuice but the Banana Boat Song is on my ipod. I took it to school and starteed singing it really loud in the playground. The whole school burst into laughter BEST SONG IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE
By Tas from Daventry Uk on 6 November 2009
It's great song, puts you in dancing mood ah!
By B.ilamathi from Tirupati,a.p on 14 December 2009
I love this song.You prepare so many songs like this
By Matthew from Bronx New York on 22 December 2009
i love to sing-a-long with this song.
By Steve from Gcba on 24 December 2009
It's an awesome song! I have videos of my dad singing it to me when I was a baby :D
By Riki from Epj Sd on 24 December 2009
I like the song bc it is on the movie and bc it was one of my teachers in school fav song so she sang it alot
By Alaina from Portsmouth England on 9 January 2010
the film is great and this is my fav part
By Ben from Deni Australia on 17 January 2010
i listen to this song every night on my i pod
By Sheela from Trivandrum, India on 18 January 2010
It is such an attractive song that we are teaching the first standard for the annual day celebration.
By Mitzie from Clarendon Jamaica on 3 February 2010
SING THIS SONG ALL THE TIME ONE OF MY FAVOURITE TOO. JAMAICAN FOLK SONGS ARE THE BEST! HAVE YOU EVER HEARD "ROAST BREADFRUIT" or "CHI CHI BUD HOO"
By Kayla from Jamaica on 28 March 2010
This song is my favorite but the lyrics that who ever wrote are wrong the part when it says"SIX FOOT SEVEN FOOT EIGHT FOOT PUNCH" It wrong because it SIX HANDS SEVEN HANDS EIGHT HAND BUNCH im just saying but great song and thanks for having it so people can sing it
By Aliyah from Albaqurque Usa on 19 May 2010
I am woundering if Banana Boat Song is Avable in CDs?
By Aliyah from Albaqurque Usa on 19 May 2010
This song is my favorte but why name it Banana Boat Song, it is a good song and I will like to know if the band who wrote it are still alive?
By Aliyah from In South West Albaqurque New Mexico Usa on 20 May 2010
I cant belive they used beatlejuice the movie in the video!
By Aliyah from Albaqurque New Mexico Usa On May 19 2010 on 20 May 2010
I cant belive they used Beetlejuice the movie in the video!
By Aliyah from Albaqurque New Mexico Usa On May 19 2010 on 20 May 2010
I agree with Alex! LOL
By Aliyah from Albaqurque New Mexico Usa On November 19 2008 on 20 May 2010
I agree with Brenda! OMG
By Bob from Havanna Cuba on 20 May 2010
I LOVE this SONG! I play it in my ice cream truck all the time. you should see the kids come running.
By Dave from Portland, Or on 6 June 2010
Thanks for the lyrics! I find it silly, though, that when I printed them the entire blue background is printed as well. Can this be changed? Thanks!
By Christine Abigail from Bohol Philippines on 19 July 2010
i haven't heard the song..but the lyrics is fun!
By Gretchen from Jacksonville Usa on 30 July 2010
lol, Beetlejuice is the only reason that I know of this song. xD Now to watch the video again.
By Trevor from Trinidad on 3 August 2010
Yo im just glad i got these lyrics im winning my competition 4 sure now!
By Shanelongsine from Wisconsin, Usa on 9 August 2010
I remember singing this song back in 2nd grade forever ago. Now as an entertainer singer guitar player at festivals, clubs, and the occasional backyard campfire or cocktail social, I am always amazed at the crowd response from this song. Even if i've never seen the people i play for before, it's always the same reaction, old crowds and young. Lol. By the time i'm done belting out the first (Day-o) there is always a bunch of people. Shouting it right back! Truly a one of a kind and amazing song. -Ilove it!
By Dimple from Gujarat, India on 6 September 2010
uuh! wow! what an amazing song! Really it jst sounds pretty cool and an innocent song. I'm loving it!
By Julie from Vancouver,canada on 15 September 2010
i believe this is a caribbean song but im not sure does anyone know for sure?
By Stu from Pa, Usa on 16 September 2010
do you remember the Bic commercial using this song? I cant find it anywhere, but remember the lyrics by heart: Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Bic Banana markers, you've got to get some. Come in a one pack, eight pack, twenty pack ho! Bic Banana markers for the office or home. They, got a color for you! Ten beautiful markers for the office or home. Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana....
By Iona from Scotland on 24 September 2010
how fun was that song and i thought i was going to lol but i was so sad and i was thinking about a boy i can.t what till i go back to school
By Bagpuss from United Kingdom on 6 November 2010
Best song ever, watching beetlejuice now lol
By Cid from United States on 21 November 2010
I read this while listening to The Baker, and I went to the kitchen and make some banana bread. lol
By Erin from Japan on 24 November 2010
i was recently in jamaica leading a cultural exchange. we taught this song to our participants before meeting the jamaican participants. the jamaicans, mostly kids, knew it well and loved it. our japanese participants learned a bit of local dialect and had an extra tool for interacting with the local people they were meeting that day. it was great!
By Nathaniel from Puerto Rico on 8 January 2011
Grew-up loving this song without fully understanding the lyrics. Great song, thaks. Julie, from Vancouver (Sept.2010) . You should visit.
By Lúcia from Brazil on 13 February 2011
I love this music and the only word I really understood was "bananas" and I thought the letter was: "Mr Sullivan selling me bananas..."
By Kia from Mexico on 28 February 2011
i uesd to listen to this song in music class
By Anthony from United States on 16 March 2011
ha! im a musician, and my dad is to, i grew up in car rides with the oldies channels which every kid should have exposure to. i knew most of the lyrics,and what the song was about, but didnt catch all the words, well anyway long story short, i just bought my second pet turantula, (this ones a rose hair) and this song popped in my head about "the part something, something, black turantula" lol, so i looked it up to find the words, fun song, and now can not get it outta of my head, so i do believe ill be downloading it, lol @ the ridiculus p.c. warning,- lol @Latka! "i am offended by banana" lol lol -God bless-
By Brad from United States on 30 March 2011
Replace the rum line with, "Work all day 'til the work is done." That's how I learned it, and makes it school appropriate. Thanks
By Beyonce from United States on 18 May 2011
I am going to make a remake of this song when I have the time.
By Cheyenne from United States on 18 May 2011
This song reminds me of BEATLE JUICE :)
By Valentina from Colombia on 31 May 2011
"Come Mr. tally man, tally me banana"... love this song Tim Burton+ Day-o ♥
By Dexter from United States on 2 June 2011
every time i hear this song, my first impulse is to shout "excuse mah charisma, vodka with a sprtzah.."
By Jamie-lee from Australia on 2 August 2011
This is my friend's and I most favourite song atm so funny and we've mad up our own tune soo funny this song :)
By Tenasia from United States on 20 August 2011
thats so hard sing i cant even get first line yet
By Simphiwe Bravo from South Africa on 29 August 2011
man i just love d lyrist of the song and find the history backround of the song very interesting
By Mar from Jamaica on 11 September 2011
one of the most popular Jamaican originated songs..harry really puts the Jamaican folklore on the map...
By Faith Hanmore from India on 11 October 2011
i kinda like the song but it is kinda weiard
By Destinee Hanmore from India on 11 October 2011
i hat it i hat everey body even mike nally
By Aith Hanmore from United States on 11 October 2011
i love the song how to love but my sis is so weird she keeps playing i am sexy and i now it song it gets annoying well by
By Aith Hanmore from United States on 11 October 2011
i hate the song how to love but my sis is so weird she keeps playing i am sexy and i now it song it gets annoying well by
By Suryea from Jamaica on 14 October 2011
I love this song. It is awesome. My dad grew up singing it when he was little singing it with his siblings. He is 61 now but still has the Jamaican accent and I love him. I am visiting Jamaica. In Kingston where my dad was born.
By Sabina from Denmark on 19 December 2011
I did have lot of fun waching this song.
By Niasbio from Japan on 19 December 2011
I am from Japan. But I never saw that awesome song
By Sandarie from Bosnia And Herzegovina on 9 February 2012
Daj i meni bananu.Super.
By Beno from Bosnia And Herzegovina on 20 March 2012
i get a boner when i hear this song on full blast
By Morven from United Kingdom on 20 March 2012
Hello, Joshua from Portsmouth! I also live in Portsmouth! In Copnor.
By Mom from United States on 28 March 2012
Moderater you allowed a couple inappropriate comments. Check Beno and Collete.
By Heinrich from South Africa on 28 March 2012
If I hear dis song after 2 months being away from home,it is so imotional.I'm just thinking of how good it's gona be when I'm back at home.
By Michael from United Kingdom on 21 April 2012
the song is wicked, and have always liked it from when I was young and see it on top of the pops, but seeing it on beetlgiuce brought back memories . excellent
By Valarine from India on 27 December 2012
Wow, never thought this song could have so many comments..... I grew up listening to this song and I remember our school kindergarten children did a dance for this sont in early 90s. When I was in high school I used to listen at home in radios and cassettes but when I grew up and when I was in Congo, I started to search for this african accent song. A polite way of making the worker's hope of going home being expressed thru a song...
By Chigbo from Nigeria on 4 January 2013
I have always loved this song starting from my childhood even when I didn't know the full lyrics. Now my kids love it too.
By Jasmine from Georgia on 26 February 2013
our music teacher plays this in grade school
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By Brenda from South Orange, Nj Usa on 11 November 2008
found it funny that they used the beetlejuice movie for this video