Belafonte Small Handbag

"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" is a traditional Jamaican folk tune with roots in mento music, though it’s often associated with the more widely recognized calypso style. The song was popularized by Harry Belafonte, whose 1956 recording brought it international fame.

Structured as a call-and-response work song, it is told from the perspective of dock workers loading bananas onto ships during the night shift. The lyrics express their anticipation for daybreak, signaling the end of their labor and the moment when their work can be counted so they can finally go home.