Beardman Feast

Max Romeo's song "Beardman Feast" paints a vivid picture of a gathering in the East, where a group of bearded men come together for a grand feast. The lyrics describe the preparation of the feast with three bags of rice, a big black sole, and three bags of wheat. This imagery sets the stage for a celebration that is both communal and significant, hinting at cultural or religious undertones. The feast represents a moment of unity and shared joy among the participants.

However, the song takes a turn when it introduces the presence of law enforcement. The bearded men are depicted as fearless when faced with the police, standing their ground and not running away. This defiance suggests a strong sense of resilience and perhaps a history of oppression or conflict with the authorities. The repetition of the phrase "They never run when police men come" emphasizes their bravery and determination to hold their ground.

The narrative shifts dramatically with the arrival of soldiers. Unlike their reaction to the police, the bearded men are compelled to flee when the soldiers come. The line "Them haffi run when soldier man a come" is repeated, highlighting the greater threat posed by the military. The song culminates in the chaos and disaster of the feast, where none of the men get to taste the wheat they had prepared. The imagery of them tearing down banana walk as they run away underscores the disruption and destruction caused by the soldiers' arrival. Through this song, Max Romeo captures themes of resistance, fear, and the impact of authority on communal life, reflecting broader social and political struggles.