Them a Come

Song Meaning

The lyrics of "Them a Come" paint a vivid picture of a relentless, approaching crowd. The narrator observes this gathering with a sense of wonder, repeatedly asking, "I wonder why." This immediate tension sets the stage for an intriguing observation of human movement. A central emotional tension arises from the sheer scale of this arrival. While some individuals are depicted in mundane actions like "wash dem face" or "eat dem chow," the collective force is overwhelming. The repeated phrase "Dem a run-come-come" emphasizes a continuous, urgent movement, leading the narrator to question, "Could I take dem a come?" This suggests a personal vulnerability against an unstoppable tide. The craft here relies heavily on repetition and numerical progression to build momentum. The chant-like "Dem a run-come-come" and the counting, "One by one / Two by two / Three by three," create a hypnotic, almost inescapable rhythm. This technique underscores the growing numbers and the diverse nature of the crowd, encompassing "Big an' small / Young an' old / Weak an' strong," making the arrival feel universal and all-encompassing. Ultimately, these lyrics are effective because they evoke a powerful sense of being confronted by an inevitable, diverse, and perhaps overwhelming force. The narrator's questions and observations invite the listener to share in the experience, pondering the nature of this collective arrival and what it means to face such an unstoppable gathering.