Meaning
'Chicken merry, hawk deh near' — when you are carelessly happy and off your guard, danger may be close at hand. The picture is of a yard fowl scratching and clucking in contentment while the hawk watches unseen from above, ready to strike. It is a caution, offered soberly amid good times, not to let excitement, success, or celebration make you reckless and blind to the trouble that so often follows close behind joy.
Examples
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Dem a celebrate loud an leave di door open. Chicken merry, hawk deh near.
They're celebrating loudly and left the door open. When the chicken is merry, the hawk is near.
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Enjoy yuhself but stay alert — chicken merry, hawk deh near.
Enjoy yourself but stay alert — careless joy invites danger.
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Him win a money an start show off. Chicken merry, hawk deh near.
He won some money and started showing off. Careless happiness draws trouble.
Origin
A rural Jamaican image: a hawk preys on chickens that are too busy scratching and clucking happily to notice it circling above.
How it’s used
A warning about complacency, often said when someone is being too carefree or flashy.