Both Harry Belafonte and the Tarriers did versions of the Banana Boat Song, though the latter might have had another title. The one most people remember is a Belafonte version, which still gets air play and was featured in the film "Beetlejuice."

I was in high school in around 1956-57 when these were playing on the radio. The "Hill and gully rider" line, I think, appeared in the Tarriers' song, circa 1956, done as a background chant, more or less. They are probably two related, but different songs.

During that time, Belafonte and the Kingston Trio, among others, popularized somewhat polished and abbreviated versions of calypso and other Caribbean music. Belafonte's "Belafonte Sings of the Caribbean" is still in my collection, with songs like "Brown Skin Girl," "Matilda" and "Island in the Sun," from the movie of the same name. Bongo drums were selling like hotcakes and you could hear them at a lot of parties, many of which were Caribbean themed.

By the way, for those unfamiliar with the Tarriers, they were a forerunner of groups like the Kingston Trio - by at least 4-5 years. The group was made up of Erik Darling, Bob Carey and Alan Arkin, who most only know as an actor.