Carnival
Cave Nick & Ellis Warren Lyrics
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You, me
You tell your friends
I'll tell mine
It's that time again
Carnival in T and T
Is so special to all ah we
That's how we feel about Port-of-Spain
When the posse them come in town
Beating pan and ah bongo drum
Is madness everywhere
Carnival is ah true freedom
Make ah noise or ah joyful sound
And jump up in the air
So
[Chorus]
Everybody take ah jump, take ah jump, take ah jump up now
Start to wave, start to wave, start to wave up now
Start to wine, start to wine, start to wine up now
Because, it's Carnival
So put yea rag them in the air, in the air, in the air
Stomp yea foot them on the ground, on the ground, on the ground
And lemme see you jump around, jump around, jump around
And let them know we comin' down, comin' down, comin' down
Yeah ya
All the pettiness have to down
We is the soca vagabonds
Is madness everywhere
Marinating under the sun
Dis is how we does all come one
And jump up in the air
[Chorus: x2]
So put yea bumper like ah truck, like ah truck, like ah truck
And lemme see yea push it back, push it back, push it back
And now yea ready take ah jump, take ah jump, take ah jump
Well lemme see yea jook it up, jook it up, jook it up
And lemme see yea roll
Seasons come and seasons go
But Carnival will last
From Port-of-Spain straight to S'ando
Take it out, take it out and play ah mas'
[Chorus: x2]
Carnival when when I comin' down
Jumpin' to dis crazy song
People spreading rumors in town
Machel is ah mad man
You know you love bacchanal
Is part of they festival
All that is Carnival
So put yea flag them in the air, in the air, in the air
Stomp yea foot them on the ground, on the ground, on the ground
And lemme see you pull yea rag, pull yea flag, pull yuh rag
And let them know we comin' down, comin' down, comin' down
So push yea bumper like ah truck, like ah truck, like ah truck
Well lemme see yea push it back, push it back, push it back
And when yea ready take ah jump, take ah jump, take ah jump up now
Because, it's Carnival
Watch the ride,
Push it, push it, push it
And everybody take ah, take ah, take ah
And lemme me see yea push it, push it, push it
And everybody take ah, take ah, take ah
And lemme me see yea now
Like ah truck, like ah truck, like ah
And lemme me see yea take ah wave, take ah wave, take ah
And lemme me see yea take ah jump, take ah, take ah
And when yea ready push it, push it, push it
Yeah, ha
The lyrics of "Carnival" by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis are an ode to the festive and joyous atmosphere of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. The song starts with the singers addressing each other and their friends, stating that it's time for the carnival again. They express their love for this special time and place and how it feels like they have carnival in their veins. As the posse comes to town, beating their drums and playing their pans, the madness of the carnival sets in. It's a time of true freedom, to make noise, to jump, to dance, to scream and let go of all the pettiness. The singer urges everyone to take a jump, wave, and wine up, letting the carnival spirit take them over.
The chorus of the song is a call to action, asking people to put their rags in the air, stomp their feet on the ground, jump around, and let everyone know that they're coming down. The carnival is a time when everyone comes together to celebrate, putting their differences aside to become one big soca vagabond. The second verse of the song reiterates the madness of the carnival, how everyone marinates under the sun, all coming together as one to jump up in the air.
The song ends with a statement that while seasons come and go, the carnival endures, from Port-of-Spain to S'ando. People spread rumors in town, calling Machel a mad man, but it's all part of the festival. The singer urges people to put their flags in the air, to stomp their feet on the ground, and to pull their rags, showing their love for the carnival spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, baby you know how we do
We are familiar with the way things are done
You, me
You and I
You tell your friends
Share with your associates
I'll tell mine
I will also share with my friends
It's that time again
It's time to celebrate
Carnival in T and T
Festivities in Trinidad and Tobago
Is so special to all ah we
It is a very important occasion for all of us
Like we need blood in we vain
It is as important to us as blood in our veins
That's how we feel about Port-of-Spain
Our emotions towards Port-of-Spain are intense
When the posse them come in town
When the group of people arrive in the city
Beating pan and ah bongo drum
Playing steel drums and bongo drums
Is madness everywhere
It is a frenzy all around
Carnival is ah true freedom
Carnival represents real freedom
Make ah noise or ah joyful sound
Make a lot of joyful noise
And jump up in the air
Jump high
Everybody take ah jump, take ah jump, take ah jump up now
Everyone jump now
Start to wave, start to wave, start to wave up now
Begin to wave your hands now
Start to wine, start to wine, start to wine up now
Start dancing now
So put yea rag them in the air, in the air, in the air
Raise your clothes up high
Stomp yea foot them on the ground, on the ground, on the ground
Stamp your feet on the ground
And lemme see you jump around, jump around, jump around
Show me how high you can jump
And let them know we comin' down, comin' down, comin' down
Tell them we are arriving
All the pettiness have to down
All the small-mindedness must end
We is the soca vagabonds
We are the wandering soca lovers
Marinating under the sun
Basking in the sun
Dis is how we does all come one
This is how we all become one
So put yea bumper like ah truck, like ah truck, like ah truck
Move your body like a truck
And lemme see yea push it back, push it back, push it back
Show me how far you can move your body
And now yea ready take ah jump, take ah jump, take ah jump
Now be ready to jump
Well lemme see yea jook it up, jook it up, jook it up
Show me how you can move your body rhythmically
Seasons come and seasons go
Time passes by quickly
But Carnival will last
Carnival endures
From Port-of-Spain straight to S'ando
From Port-of-Spain to S'ando
Take it out, take it out and play ah mas'
Unleash all your energy and enjoy the masquerade
Carnival when when I comin' down
Carnival when I'm coming down
Jumpin' to dis crazy song
Dancing to this wild song
People spreading rumors in town
People gossiping in town
Machel is ah mad man
Machel is crazy
You know you love bacchanal
You know you enjoy the wild festivities
Is part of they festival
It is part of their festival
So put yea flag them in the air, in the air, in the air
Wave your flags high
And lemme see you pull yea rag, pull yea flag, pull yuh rag
Show me how you can move your clothes and flags
So push yea bumper like ah truck, like ah truck, like ah truck
Move your body like a truck
And when yea ready take ah jump, take ah jump, take ah jump up now
Get ready to jump now
Watch the ride
Enjoy the experience
Push it, push it, push it
Move your body, move your body, move your body
And everybody take ah, take ah, take ah
Everyone takes it, takes it, takes it
And lemme me see yea push it, push it, push it
Show me how you can move your body
And everybody take ah, take ah, take ah
Everyone takes it, takes it, takes it
And lemme me see yea now
Now show me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JERRY DUPLESSIS, WYCLEF JEAN, MACHEL MONTANO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bruno Freitas
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