The Coconut Counting Man
sung by Harry Bellafonte and The Count
Harry Bellafonte: Down Grand Bahama 'neath the stand-up palm
On an island called Green Turtle Key,
People sit and stare at the man who's there
Counting coconuts night and day.
You'll find him dressed in a cape in the island sun,
Got no time to rest 'til his counting's done
Never gets depressed 'cause he's having fun,
He's the Coconut Counting Man
Tell everybody now
Count: I'm the Coconut Counting Man
HB: Everybody
Birds: He's the Coconut Counting Man
HB: Watch him count now
Count: One, two, three...oh oh yeah, four five six seven, I love it, wonderful coconuts!
HB: A-ha, Wonderful!
When the tropical breeze blows the nuts from the trees
Everybody spies while he's counting
Oh they glow and smile 'cause his coconut pile
Is growing big as a mountain
Sure as stars are bright, and water's deep
He'd rather count all night than go to bed and sleep
He counts coconuts instead of sheep
He's the Coconut Counting Man
Tell the people
Count: I'm the Coconut Counting Man
HB: Everybody now
Birds: He's the Coconut Counting Man
HB: Watch him count
Count: 16, 17, 18, 19, yes, 20, ha ha! I love these coconuts!
HB: Big numbers! Uh-huh. Wonderful!
I never got his name, don't know from where he came
But there's one thing that is true
No coconut amount's too big for him to count
You can count on him to count for you
Everybody now
Count: One and two, three four five,
It's wonderful to be alive!
Yes, I'm so proud as proud can be that I've
Been the Coconut Counting Man
HB: Everybody now
Birds: He's the Coconut Counting Man
He's the Coconut Counting Man
He's the Coconut Counting Man
HB: Let's hear it, Count
Count: Yes, oh, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 Coconuts ha ha ha!
HB: Ah, that's a lot of coconuts!
Count: Yes
HB: Yes sir, I think the island's sinking!
Count: Ah, we need to find a bigger island anyway.
HB: Yes, but I've got you, so what else matters?
Count: Ha ha ha! Let's eat.
HB: Oh, thank you, Count, I love you so much.
Transcribed by Jen Finlayson