☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are about a man who has lived his life to the fullest and is not afraid of death.
- He wants people who learn of his death to say that he lived according to his own ideas and freely expressed his opinion.
- The lyrics contain a story about his time as a sailor on a cargo ship and advise to enjoy life while you still can.
- The protagonist tells of his adventures around the world and his experiences with love and fate.
- Overall, the song lyrics are about a man who has lived his life passionately and views his funeral as a celebration rather than a sad event.
Interpretation
The song lyrics 'Tone The Bell Easy' by
Harry Belafonte are about a man who has lived his life to the fullest and has no fear of death. He wants people who hear about his death to say that he lived on his own terms and freely expressed his opinion. He doesn't want sadness at his grave, but rather for a charming bell to be rung.
The lyrics also tell the story of his time as a sailor on a cargo ship named 'Annalee'. The first mate advises him to enjoy life to the fullest because it will be too late when the last bell tolls.
The protagonist also recounts his adventures that have taken him from coast to coast and from pole to pole. He has spent a lot of money and drunk heavy wines. If heaven can't offer him the joys he once knew, he hopes they'll turn his coffin upside down and send him to hell.
The lyrics also mention that the protagonist has done a lot for love but never spoke about it. He went from the arms of a loving woman to the hands of a cruel fate. But if a young girl passes by him and doesn't make his heart beat faster, he should be rolled towards the burning gates and the devil's bell be rung.
Overall, the song lyrics are about a man who has lived his life passionately and has no fear of death. He wants his death to be celebrated with a bell instead of sadness.