#tarriers

Alan Arkin began his career in show business as a singer in the folk/pop group The Tarriers. They had two singles reach Billboard's Top 10 1956-57. The second was The Banana Boat Song (Day O), peaking at number four, a month before Harry Belafonte's more popular version that peaked at number five. Alan made his film debut here in Calypso Heat Wave (1957).

The second tune came from the West Indies and was translated into Yellow Bird, making the chart three times, first by The Mills Brothers in 1959, and by Lawrence Welk in 1961. The biggest hit was by The Arthur Lymon Group, peaking at number four in 1961.

The Tarriers “The Banana Boat Song” RCA 1956

Harry Belafonte begründete mit dem Lied seine große Karriere – und ein weltweites Calypso-Fieber. Hier die bekannte Version:

Oh father why are you so sad this bright young Easter Morn

When Irishmen are rightly proud of the land where they were born

Oh son I’m watching on tv and something’s badly wrong

The Rangers fans are still up singing the potato famine song

I phoned the Irish Consulate in countries far and wide

And told of people laughing at the Irish potato blight

But all I get in answer to my queries and my moans

“THE FAMINE IS NOW OVER SO WHY DON’T YOU JUST GO HOME”

I phoned the Irish President (whoever that maybe)

And told of my devotion to the land across the sea

But once again I only got this reply to my groans

“THE FAMINE IS NOW OVER SO WHY DON’T YOU JUST COME HOME”

And so my son I’ve told you why on Easter morn I sigh

For once again us Irishmen are met with hateful eyes

But in truth my son I’ll tell you now and hope you realise