Thursday Tunes: Phish

June 21, 2012 | Miscellania

Over the years Phish has gained a cult-like following for their command of different genres of music and embracement of the psychedelic lifestyle, but many casual fans may not realize that their music often has a literary undertone. A perfect example of this is the song “Prince Caspian” from their 1996 album, Billy Breathes. In the song, a man is expressing his desire to be Prince Caspian, the titular character from the novel Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Lyrically, it is a simple song, but it has a strange, dream-like power to it. Like many Phish songs, there is more to this tune than meets the eye (or ear, as the case may be).

“Prince Caspian” by Phish”

Oh, to be Prince Caspian afloat upon the waves
Oh, to be Prince Caspian afloat upon the waves
Oh, to be Prince Caspian afloat upon the waves
Oh, to be Prince Caspian,
With nothing to return to but the demons in their caves

Oh, to be Prince Caspian afloat upon the waves
Oh, to be Prince Caspian afloat upon the waves
Oh, to be Prince Caspian afloat upon the waves
Oh, to be Prince Caspian,
And the children in the fields all sowing seed and chaffing wheat
Oh, to be Prince Caspian with stumps instead of feet

Oh to be Prince Caspian
Oh to be Prince Caspian
Oh to be Prince Caspian
Oh…