This is a work song, thought to be sung by Jamaican banana workers, working the night shift loading bananas onto ships. In the morning, they want their work to be counted up so that they can go home. There were numerous versions of lyrics, some likely improvised on the spot by the singers as a call and response. The song was probably created around the second half of the nineteenth century or the first half of twentieth century, where there was a rise of the banana trade in Jamaica. (source)
Lyrics
Day-O, Day-O, Daylight come and I wanna go home
Day-O, Day-O, Daylight come and I wanna go home
Come, Mister Tally Man, tally me banana
Daylight come and I wanna go home
Come, Mister Tally Man, tally me banana
Daylight come and I wanna go home
Six han’, seven han’, eight han’ bunch,
Daylight come and I wanna go home
Six han’, seven han’, eight han’ bunch,
Daylight come and I wanna go home
Links
- more Jamaican folk songs
- more call & response songs
- more songs with syncopation
- more work songs
- more songs with Orff arrangements
- more songs with chords I & V
The following content is available below to Plus Members:
- PDF includes:
- Song with chords
- Orff Arrangement
- Printable Rhythm Visuals
- Digital Rhythm Visuals
- MIDI file
- MP3
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