King David Rudder | Photo credit: R Hanamji at Vintage Kaiso Meets David Rudder 21 Jan 2024
Last night, I had the opportunity to attend ‘Vintage Kaiso Meets David Rudder’ – hosted in aid of the St. Dominic’s Geriatric Home – as a new but very close friend gifted me tickets for the big 4-0!
I aim to pen one of these ‘Kaiso Review’ pieces each Saturday, so I knew it was a timely boon. In the line-up there were stalwarts like Brother Valentino, Trinidad Rio, and even Isaac Blackman who paid tribute to his dad – the late Ras Shorty I.
However, the ‘star’ performer was of course King David Rudder, who graced the stage for a set of crowd favourites. Of the songs he performed, it was clear that the universe wanted me to focus on ‘High Mas‘. After all, we were in the St. Dominic’s Hall at St. Finbar’s Church, and installed in huge lettering above the stage were the words: ‘LAUDARE | BENEDICERE | PRAEDICARE‘ (“to PRAISE | to BLESS | to PREACH). Indeed that is exactly what took place there last night!
Even Blackman had the entire audience chanting “Om Shanti Om” – which has already inspired another piece for another day.
In Rudder’s song, he invites us to “give praise” for the “art“, which he claims facilitates everyone “feel[ing] like we’re a part of this earthly heaven…” This concept of ‘Carnival’ creating at least the perception (if not the reality) of ‘equality, inclusion, equity, belonging’ in our lives, has long been held out as one of its prevailing benefits.
Yet, at the same time, he acknowledges that “…in this bacchanal season; Where men lose their reason; …most of us just want to wine and have a good time…” It is widely held that we do not focus on being productive and logical as the catharsis is taking place. Instead, the ‘Carnival’ mindset is renewed each year and survives ‘las’ lap’ – affecting and impacting how we generally behave for the rest of the year.
It is an interesting ‘trade-off’ (a concept used in business, when a decision has to be made where one activity has to be foregone, to allow another to be executed). In the case of Carnival, in order to achieve some semblance of integration, we accept any negative consequences which manifest in our norms and ‘culture’ (used in the truest corporate sense). Perhaps it is because we believe that they will be even worse if we did not have the Carnival period.
Sociologists and commentators have posited that Carnival is analogous to a pressure valve that allows a release for us annually. After all, there are many complex issues that correlate to and cause division, strife and conflict. In his other ditty – ‘Sweet T&T’, Rudder reminds us that “How we vote, is not how we party!”
Further, this ‘distraction’ presents a strong dose of the cocktail of entertainment, revelry, laughter, and time-off – along with the occasional drug of choice (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, a day at the beach, sex, or dance) – altogether causing the release of endorphins. Our natural chemical reactions and hormones are empowered at this time.
The ‘mas’ is literally ‘high’!
Of course, not everyone takes part in Carnival, or at least not all of its many aspects. They see it as unadulterated ‘smut, debauchery, lewdness, mess, noise, and drama’. Some of these folks, would be good to remember though it is founded on the ritual of imbibing, ahead of the Lenten period that requires sacrifice.
‘Carne vale!’ (“farewell to meat”) is derived from the late Latin expression ‘carne levare’, which means “remove meat”, or ‘flesh’ – interpreted to include ‘the carnal’.
Some have coined the ‘Carnival mentality’ reference, as a remark on the darker side of the festival, while others contend that this is our most productive time – and we should apply learnings from it to our other spheres of life.
However, Rudder is commenting on the general atmosphere at the time. He believes that we should be thankful (to God) for this blessing.
Like Rudder, I lean to the side that holds the benefits can far outweigh the costs. However, this requires planning, management, infrastructure, training and foresight. We have these in abundance but, maybe these are the same folks who lose all reason. Carnival is a unique melting pot of innovation, social enterprise, community engagement and economics.
Last night there was alcohol on Church grounds, some rude double entendre and, yet lots of praising! So, we seem to be able to party and pray. Maybe we can learn how to party, pray and produce – but consistently. This would usher in a whole new approach to ‘work-life-balance’.
I give thanks to MB for her gift and the universe for aligning, and “And if you know what I mean then scream” !!!
“Jas be praised!”
HIGH MAS
King David Rudder
Give praise children, give praise
Give praise children yeah, give praise
Give praise children yeah, give praise
Give praise children
REFRAIN
Our Father who has given us this art
So that we can all feel like we’re a part
Of this earthly heaven, Amen
Forgive us this day our daily weakness
As we seek to cast our mortal burdens on your city, Amen
Oh merciful Father, in this bacchanal season
Where men lose their reason
But most of us just want to wine and have a good time
Cause we looking for a lime, Because we feeling fine, Lord, Amen
And as we jump up and down in this crazy town
Send us some music for some healing, Amen
CHORUS
Everybody hand raise
Everybody give praise
Everybody hand raise
And if you know what I mean, put up yuh finger
And if you know what I mean, put up your hand
And if you know what I mean, put up yuh finger
And if you know what I mean then scream
Ohhh, give Jah his praises
Ohhh, let Jah be praised
Ohhh, de Father in his mercy
He send a little music, to make de vibration raise
So Carnival day, everybody come and celebrate
Everybody come and celebrate
See de ragamuffin congregate yea
Everybody come and celebrate
And everybody say, ou a a oo a a, I love meh country
Let me hear you say
ou a a oo a a, I feeling irie
And everybody say, ou a a oo a a, I love meh country
REFRAIN
On this lovely day when we come out to play and we come out to sway
And we breaking away
Some will say what they have to say
But only you know da pain we’re feeling, Amen
As it was in de beginning of Jouvert
Good vibes till Carnival Tuesday ending, Amen
CHORUS
And everybody say, ou a a oo a a, I love meh country
ou a a oo a a I feeling irie
Let me hear you say
ou a a oo a a, I feeling irie