Cavern

Phish

About Cavern

"Cavern" is a 1992 song by the American band Phish. It is the third track from their 1992 album A Picture of Nectar and was also released as their second promotional single by Elektra Records. The song is a beat-driven funk rock song written by Phish guitarist and lead vocalist Trey Anastasio and lyricist Scott Herman and Tom Marshall. “Cavern” has been a rock in Phish's rotation since early 1990. While most fans have become accustomed to the song as a set-closer or encore, initially it was much more versatile, appearing just about everywhere in the setlist. It was only beginning in 1992 that the band began utilizing it in its current role. In fact, beginning in fall 1992, well over half of the performances of “Cavern” have come either at the close of a set or during an encore. And no wonder: the song's straight-up rock feel and fist-pumping climax make it a fitting exclamation point on the end of an evening of more excursionary jamming. 


Year:
2008
4:21
101 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Your time is near, the mission's clear
It's later than we think
Before you slip into the night
You'll want something to drink
Steal away before the dawn, and
Bring us back good news
But if you've tread in primal soup
Please wipe it from your shoes

Just then a porthole pirate
Scourged the evening with his cry
And sanctuary bugs deprived
The monkey of its thigh
A dust arose and clogged my nose
Before I could blink twice
Despite the stuff that bubbled up
I gave some last advice:

The flesh from Satan's dogs
Will make the rudiments of gruel

Deduct the carrots from your pay
You worthless swampy fool

Exploding then through fields and fen
And swimming in the mire
The septic maiden's gargoyle tooth
Demented me with fire
I drifted where the current chose
Afloat upon my back
And if perchance a newt slimed by
I'd stuff it in my sack

Soon I felt a bubble form, Somewhere below my skin
But with handy spine of hedgehog
I removed the force within
Suzie then removed her mask
And caused a mighty stir
The angry mob responded
Taking turns at grabbing her

The foggy cavern's musty grime
Appeared within my palm
I snatched Rick's fork to scrape it off
With deadly icy calm

The brothel wife then grabbed a knife
And slashed me on the tongue
I turned the blade back on the bitch
And dropped her in the dung]

The crowd meanwhile had taken Sue
And used her like a rag
To mop the slime from where the slug
Had slithered with the bag

In summing up, the moral seems
A little bit obscure...

Give the director a serpent deflector
A mudrat detector, a ribbon reflector
A cushion convector, a picture of nectar 
A virile dissector,a hormone collector

Whatever you do take care of your shoes

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Phish

Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, exploration of music across genres, and adoring fan base. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 (with the current line up solidifying in 1985), the band's four members—Trey Anastasio (guitars, lead vocals), Mike Gordon (bass, vocals), Jon Fishman (drums, percussion, vocals), and Page McConnell (keyboards, vocals)—performed together for over 20 years before breaking up in August 2004. They reunited March 2009 for Phish in Hampton, a series of three consecutive concerts played in the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia, and have since resumed performing regularly. more »

3 fans

Written by: HARRY ARMSTRONG, HUSCH GERARD RICHARD

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Band Formation
"Cavern" is a song by Phish, an American rock band that was formed at the University of Vermont in 1983.
Song Origin
The song, "Cavern", was written by Trey Anastasio, the lead vocalist of Phish, and his childhood friend, Tom Marshall.
Album Presence
The song is included in the band's fourth studio album, "A Picture of Nectar", which was released in 1992.
Song Inspiration
The song's lyrics are based on a nonsensical poem written by Anastasio and Marshall, reflecting the band's overall whimsical musical style.
Live Performances
"Cavern" is a fan favorite and is often played at the band's live performances.
Song Length
The average song length for "Cavern" is typically around four to five minutes.
Notable Performances
A notable performance of the song took place on December 31, 1995, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where the band played an extended version of the song to close their third set.
Song Themes
The song features complex percussion interludes, considered as the band's trademark, and explores a mix of rock and jazz themes.
Lyrics Content
The song's lyrics, which are a blend of abstract and concrete images, involve the tale of a man exploring a cave and finding an ancient book.
Reinterpretation
"Cavern" has been performed in a variety of ways over the years, from straightforward rock versions to more experimental versions involving complex polyrhythms and improvisation.
Opening Track
"Cavern" has been used as an opening track at a number of Phish's concerts, setting the tone for the rest of the show.
Multilingual Lyrics
Part of the song's lyrics are in Spanish as a nod to Anastasio's wife, who is of Hispanic descent.
Change in Lyrics
The song's original lyrics have been modified slightly during live performances, a common practice by Phish to keep their songs fresh and entertaining.

Discuss the Cavern Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Cavern Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/13901817/Phish/Cavern>.

    Missing lyrics by Phish?

    Know any other songs by Phish? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Cavern

    111.2K
    356     26

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who 'Walks On Minks' as a rapper and trapper?
    A Drake
    B Pop smoke
    C Future
    D 2 chainz

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Phish's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    • Thu • Apr 18 • 7:30 PM
      Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
    • Fri • Apr 19 • 7:30 PM
      Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
    • Sat • Apr 20 • 7:30 PM
      Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
    • Sun • Apr 21 • 7:30 PM
      Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
    • Fri • Jul 19 • 7:00 PM
      Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA
    Phish tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Cavern

    »
    • Blue Dragon
    • Moana
    • Red Faction Armageddon
    • Spacehunter