Can't Be Beat (Notting Hill Carnival)

Intro

Verse 1

In nineteen-fifty-eight, the tension was high

Racist gangs marching under London's gray sky

The Notting Hill riots left a bitter, dark stain

But the Caribbean people stood up through the pain.

A proud Trinidadian woman stood tall

She said, ("We need a culture to answer the call!")

Yes, Claudia Jones had a brilliant design

To heal up the community and make the sun shine.

Chorus

So let the steelpan play, let the brass music ring!

Come join hands together, everybody dance and sing!

From a small indoor hall to the West London street,

The Notting Hill Carnival can't be beat!

Ah-ha, tell them move your feet!

The Notting Hill Carnival can't be beat!

Verse 2

In St. Pancras Town Hall, the first seeds were sown

With calypso and beauty Queen up on her throne

Then a lady named Rhaune Laslett came to the scene

In nineteen-sixty-six, she expanded the dream.

She took children and neighbors right out on the road

To lighten the heavy, oppressive old load.

Russell Henderson marched with his steel drum in hand

And a small neighborhood walk became a great band!

Chorus

So let the steelpan play, let the brass music ring!

Come join hands together, everybody dance and sing!

From a small indoor hall to the West London street,

The Notting Hill Carnival can't be beat!

Ah-ha, tell them move your feet!

The Notting Hill Carnival can't be beat!

Verse 3

Then the seventies came and the sound systems grew

Bringing reggae and dub and a energy new

The static speakers shaking up the concrete and brick

While the masquerade dancers perform a nice trick!

With sequins and feathers of every bright hue

They represent Trinidad, Jamaica, and Peru!

Though the authorities tried to shut down the display

The people said, ("No, sir, we are here to stay!")

Chorus

So let the steelpan play, let the brass music ring!

Come join hands together, everybody dance and sing!

From a small indoor hall to the West London street,

The Notting Hill Carnival can't be beat!

Ah-ha, tell them move your feet!

The Notting Hill Carnival can't be beat!

Bridge

Verse 4

Now millions of people from all over the earth

Come to celebrate freedom and celebrate birth

From Ladbroke Grove down to Westbourne Park station

It's a beautiful picture of one global nation.

We remember the struggles that brought us this far

Underneath the bright sun or the evening star.

So raise up your flag, let your spirit fly free,

This is the true heart of our sweet history!

Chorus

So let the steelpan play, let the brass music ring!

Come join hands together, everybody dance and sing!

From a small indoor hall to the West London street,

The Notting Hill Carnival can't be beat!

Ah-ha, tell them move your feet!

The Notting Hill Carnival can't be beat!

Outro

Yes, from Claudia's vision to the world-famous stage,

A story of triumph on history's page!

Play the pan! Play the mas!

Carnival done, but the memories last!

Ah-ha! Can't be beat!