Meaning
A last, striking flourish often comes just before the end. The plantain plant, once it 'shoots' (throws up its flower and bears its bunch), then dies — so its final act of fruiting is a sign the end is near. A proverb applied when someone shows a sudden burst of unusual behaviour or energy that is read, in hindsight, as a sign of a coming end.
Examples
-
Him suddenly a give weh him things — when plantain want dead, it shoot.
He's suddenly giving away his things — a final flourish before the end.
-
Dat strange behaviour worry mi; when plantain want dead, it shoot.
That strange behaviour worries me; a last burst can signal the end.
-
Di ole man pass but him grandpickney carry on di work; when plantain waan dead, it shoot.
The old man passed but his grandchildren carry on the work; the old gives way to the new.
-
One business close, a nex one open; when plantain waan dead, it shoot.
One business closes, another opens; renewal follows an ending.
-
Nuh mourn too long — when plantain waan dead, it shoot.
Don't mourn too long — new life springs up as the old passes.
Origin
A traditional proverb; the plantain flowers ('shoots') once, then dies. See Plantain, When ripe fruit ready, it mus drop.
How it’s used
A final flourish/change can be a sign the end is near. See Plantain, When ripe fruit ready, it mus drop.