Accompanied by the Wiener Symphoniker (Vienna Symphony Orchestra), famous Spanish tenor José Carreras sings “Island in the sun”, a song written by the American singer-songwriter Harry Belafonte (b. 1927) and the American songwriter Irving Burgie (b. 1924, better known as Lord Burgess), and performed by Harry Belafonte for the 1957 film Island in the Sun and on his 1957 album Belafonte Sings of the Caribbean. Performed at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.
Here is the original Belafonte version from the 1957 album “Belafonte Sings of the Caribbean”.
Lyrics
1. Verse:
This is my island in the sun
Where my people have toiled since time begun
So I may sail on many a sea
Her shores will always be home to me
Chorus:
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father’s hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
2. Verse:
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 earth below
Chorus:
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father’s hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
3. Verse:
I see woman on bended knee
Cutting cane for her family
I see man at the waterside
Casting nets at the surging tide
Chorus:
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father’s hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
4. Verse:
I pray the day will never come
When I can’t awake to the sound of drum
Never let me miss carnival
With calypso songs philosophical
Chorus:
Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father’s hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand
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