island in the sun

Harry Belafonte

This is my island in the sun
where my people have toiled since time begun
I may sail on many a sea

her shores will always be home to me

Oh island in the sun

built to me by my father's hand
all my days I will sing in praise

of your forest waters
your shining sand

As morning breaks
the heaven on high

I lift my heavy load to the sky

sun comes down with a burning glow

mingles my sweat with the earthly low

Oh island in the sun

built to me by my father's hand
all my days I will sing in praise

of your forest waters
your shining sand

Solo

I see woman on bended knee

cutting cane for her family
I see man at the water-side

casting nets at the surfing tide

Oh island in the sun

built to me by my father's hand
all my days I will sing in praise

of your forest waters
your shining sand

I hope the day will never come

that I can't awake to the sound of drum

never let me miss carnaval

with calypso songs
philosophical.

Oh island in the sun

built to me by my father's hand
all my days I will sing in praise

of your forest waters
your shining sand