Justin Trudeau Apology Sparks Interest In DayO

    Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses media representatives at a press conference in Biarritz, south-west France on August 26, 2019, on the third day of the annual G7 Summit attended by the leaders of the world's seven richest democracies, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)        (Photo credit should read LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty Images)
    Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses media representatives at a press conference in Biarritz, south-west France on August 26, 2019, on the third day of the annual G7 Summit attended by the leaders of the world's seven richest democracies, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    When Justin Trudeau apologized Wednesday night for dressing as Aladdin at a party in 2001 – complete with dark makeup on his face and hands – he admitted it wasn’t the first time he did something racist.

    “When I was in high school I dressed up at a talent show and sang ‘Day O’ with makeup on,” he said.

    So, what’s “Day-O?”

    Often known as “The Banana Boat Song,” it is a traditional Jamaican folk song that is believed to date back to the late 19th century. It was sung by workers who loaded bananas onto ships.

    “Work all night on a drink of rum / Daylight come and me wan' go home / Stack banana till the mornin' come / Daylight come and me wan' go home.”

    First recorded as “Day Dah Light” by Edric Connor in 1952, it went mainstream when Harry Belafonte released it in 1956. “Day-O” became his signature song.

    The song has been covered by a long list of artists over the years – from Shaggy to The Wiggles. Jason Derulo sampled “Day-O” in his 2011 song “Don’t Wanna Go Home.”