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I feed from the bottom, you feed from the top
I live upon morsels you happen to drop
And coffee that somehow leaks out of your cup
If nothing comes down then I'm forced to swim up
On the way upwards, the colors come back
But all along the bottom is blue, grey, and black
The darkness is cold and perception goes wrong
And the night seems to go on incredibly long
So I ask you why if I'm swimming by,
Don't you see anything you'd like to try?
Pantomime mixtures of heaven and earth
Jumbled events that have less than no worth
Time in the forest to dig under rocks
Or float in the ocean asleep in a box
Or sink just below all the churning and froth
And swim to the light source or fly like a moth
So toss away stuff you don't need in the end
But keep what's important and know who's your friend
So I ask you why if I'm swimming by,
Don't you see anything that you'd like to try?
If I'm swimming by
From the bottom, from the top ( x 8 )
I live upon morsels you happen to drop
And coffee that somehow leaks out of your cup
If nothing comes down then I'm forced to swim up
On the way upwards, the colors come back
But all along the bottom is blue, grey, and black
The darkness is cold and perception goes wrong
And the night seems to go on incredibly long
So I ask you why if I'm swimming by,
Don't you see anything you'd like to try?
Pantomime mixtures of heaven and earth
Jumbled events that have less than no worth
Time in the forest to dig under rocks
Or float in the ocean asleep in a box
Or sink just below all the churning and froth
And swim to the light source or fly like a moth
So toss away stuff you don't need in the end
But keep what's important and know who's your friend
So I ask you why if I'm swimming by,
Don't you see anything that you'd like to try?
If I'm swimming by
From the bottom, from the top ( x 8 )
Lyrics submitted by namdam42
Track duration: 06:22
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but I dont think that interpretation really works for the whole song.
Ive lived at the bottom for sure. still on my way upwards.
The first verse is describing that feeling of being caught up in it all.
The second, shows the realization that occurs when you find "it" and represents that perspective shift.
The third is the positive support, encouragement, and final words of wisdom before you begin your new journey.
And I believe the chorus is calling out to you:
So I ask you "Why", if I'm swimming by, "don't you see anything that you'd like to try?"
"Why don't you see anything that you'd like to try?" Why are you allowing yourself to get caught up in all of that meaninglessness instead of reaching your true potential?
Believe in You.
On the way upwards, the colors come back
But all along the bottom is blue, grey, and black
The darkness is cold and perception goes wrong
And the night seems to go on incredibly long
Those lines in particular^ The colors and perception changing, and time going on longer than it seems. Also, the "anything that you'd like to try" line always reminds me of somebody offering someone else drugs.
One could certainly argue against my feeble attempts at interpretation, because none of the other lyrics make sense with my analysis. Regardless, this is an awesome song, possibly my favorite Phish song.