I was down in Georgia
Nothing was as real
As the street beneath my feet
Descending into air

The cauldron was a-bubbling
The flesh was lean
And the women moved forward
Like piranhas in a stream
They spread themselves before me
An offering so sweet
And they beckoned and they beckoned
Come on darling eat

Eat the summer cannibals
Eat eat eat
You eat the summer cannibals
Eat eat eat

They circled around me
Natives in a ring
And I saw their souls a-withering
Like snakes in chains
And they wrapped themselves around me
Ummm what a treat
And they rattled their tales hissin'
Come on let's eat

Eat the summer cannibals
Eat eat eat
You eat the summer cannibals
Eat eat eat

I felt a rising in my throat
The girls a-saying grace
And the air the viscous air
Pressed against my face
And it all got too damn much for me
Just got too damn rough
And I pushed away my plate
And said boys I've had enough
And I laid upon the table
Another piece of meat
And I opened up my veins to them
And said come on eat

Eat the summer cannibals
Eat eat eat
You eat the summer cannibals
Eat eat eat
You eat the summer cannibals
Eat eat eat
You eat the summer cannibals
Eat eat eat

'Cause I was down in Georgia
Nothing was as real
As the street beneath my feet
Descending into hell

So eat eat eat
You eat eat eat
You eat eat eat
Eat eat eat


Lyrics submitted by Maraja

Summer Cannibals Lyrics as written by Patti Smith Fred Smith

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Summer Cannibals song meanings
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7 Comments

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    General Comment

    As I recall, this was more a song by her husband, Fred "Sonic" Smith, which Patti finished after he died. I have the impression it is a song of ambivalence, to say the least, towards the rock music industry which tempts its artists and consumes them.

    Of course, I doubt Patti minds the sexual overtones. Her first big hit, "Gloria," was drew on lesbian imagery.

    Not sure what Georgia has to do with it, unless it happened to be the backdrop of Fred's demonic vision.

    LuckyTownon November 28, 2013   Link

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