The Lyrics Man

Max Romeo is one of reggae's great songwriters and this tune, 'Heads A Go Roll', showcases that talent really well. It's mostly based on chapter 5 of the Epistle of James; it may seem simple, but it takes real skill and vision to refashion the original scripture into a great song like this.

Heads A Go Roll

Givin' out my warning...

Now you rich people listen to me

Weep and wail over the miseries

That are coming, coming up on you

Your riches have rotted away

And your clothes have been eaten by moth

Your gold and silver is covered with rust

And this rust will be witness against you

And eat up your flesh like fire

You have piled up your riches in these last days

But heads a go roll down Sandy Gully one of these days

Heads a go roll down Sandy Gully that's what Marcus says

Your life here on earth have been filled with luxury and pleasure

You have made yourself fat for the day of slaughter

You've not paid the men that work in your fields

The cries of those that gather your crops

Have reached the ears of Jah, Jah Almighty

Heads a go roll down Sandy Gully one of these days

Heads a go roll down Sandy Gully that's what Marcus says

Dog up a Beverley Hills a eat T-bone steak an' drink cornflakes

While poor people in the ghetto a rake an' scrape to get a cake

Be patient my brother be patient as a farmer is patient

As he waits for the autumn and the spring rains to water his crops

You also must be patient and keep your hopes up high

Happy are those who greatest desire is to do what Jah Jah require

Heads a go roll down Sandy Gully one of these days

Heads a go roll down Sandy Gully that's what Marcus says

Bald head a go roll down Sandy Gully one of these days

Heads a go roll down Sandy Gully that's what Marcus says

I say; you look, you look, you look and you can't see...

I said; you listen, you listen, you listen and you can't hear... 

This song was released on the LP 'Revelation Time', and has been re-released by Blood & Fire on the the CD 'Open The Iron Gate'. This features the whole of the original LP, plus both sides of 'Jehosephat The Lost Valley' (absolutely indispensible), 'Every Man Ought To Know' (beautiful poetic lyrics) and the 12" version of 'Melt Away', and is one CD that every reggae lover should have. 

Incidentally, there's a great interview with Max Romeo here.