Flying Fish
A Great Big Pile Of Leaves Lyrics


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A well is for wishing
It is not for fishing
But I'm tired of wishing away
Just wanna go fishing
Been preoccupied by the simplest of things
That may have been placed there as bait
By whomever is out there fishing me
It's a big, big, big, big sea
And I'm just a little fish gone swimming

Imagine if the the sea life went along for the ride
During the process of precipitation
And flew up into the sky
When the clouds get heavy enough
I'll be waiting outside
I'll open my umbrella backwards
And wait for those fish to fly

It's a big, big, big, big sea
And I'm just a little fish gone swimming
It's a big, big, big, big sea
And I'm just a little fish gone swimming

I'm not that great at being a fish
But I'd be the best fisherman
I'm not that great at being a fish
But I'd be the best fisherman

It's a big, big, big, big sea
And I'm just a little fish gone swimming




It's a big, big, big, big sea
And I'm just a little fish gone swimming

Overall Meaning

The song "Flying Fish" by A Great Big Pile of Leaves centers around the theme of feeling small in a vast world, and the desire to break free from the constraints that bind us. The first lines of the song, "A well is for wishing, it is not for fishing, but I'm tired of wishing away, just wanna go fishing" speaks to the idea of being stuck in a cycle of wishful thinking and not taking action to change our situation. The singer is tired of just wishing for things to happen - they want to take matters into their own hands and go fishing. However, they acknowledge that there may be obstacles or traps in their way that are put there by someone or something else. The idea of being "fished" is a metaphor for being controlled or manipulated by external factors, and the singer wants to break free from that.


The chorus, "It's a big, big, big, big sea, and I'm just a little fish gone swimming," emphasizes the feeling of being small and insignificant in a vast and unpredictable world. The ocean is often used as a symbol for the unknown and the uncontrollable, and the singer is just one tiny fish trying to survive and make sense of it all. However, they also recognize the possibility of change and the unexpected - the idea of "flying fish" is an imaginative and whimsical way of thinking about the impossible becoming possible. The singer wants to be open to new experiences and opportunities, even if they seem unlikely or unconventional.


The final lines of the song, "I'm not that great at being a fish, but I'd be the best fisherman," suggest that the singer is willing to adapt and change in order to overcome their limitations. They may not be naturally skilled at swimming or surviving in the ocean, but they are willing to learn and become a better version of themselves. The metaphorical shift from being a fish to being a fisherman represents a shift in perspective and agency - instead of being controlled by outside forces, the singer wants to become the one in control.


Line by Line Meaning

A well is for wishing
Wells are only meant for people to make wishes


It is not for fishing
Wells should not be used for fishing


But I'm tired of wishing away
I'm tired of just wishing and not taking action


Just wanna go fishing
I want to do something more proactive like fishing


Been preoccupied by the simplest of things
I've been distracted by small things


That may have been placed there as bait
These distractions could be traps set by someone else


By whomever is out there fishing me
Someone may be manipulating me for their own purposes


It's a big, big, big, big sea
The world is vast and unpredictable


And I'm just a little fish gone swimming
I'm small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things


Imagine if the the sea life went along for the ride
What if sea creatures were carried by the water cycle


During the process of precipitation
When water vapor turns into rain


And flew up into the sky
If the fish were brought up into the air with the rain


When the clouds get heavy enough
When there is enough moisture to form clouds


I'll be waiting outside
I'll be ready and waiting for whatever happens


I'll open my umbrella backwards
I'll use my umbrella to catch the falling fish


And wait for those fish to fly
I'm ready to seize unexpected opportunities


I'm not that great at being a fish
I don't feel like I fit in with my environment


But I'd be the best fisherman
However, I am skilled at taking control of my situation




Contributed by Alice Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

André Young

Till now, this is my favorite album of all.

AllOneVoice

love the clarity of the drums on this album. such a good band

sphummer23

Can't believe it's been 7 years since this video was uploaded. I actually find myself listening to this album more today than when it was released

May May Corboy

Listened to this, tears in my eyes. I received vivid memories of my life 3 years ago. Life was so different, grateful for music and for the life I’ve lived so far.

Abdul Latif

great song, great band! 

Chris Gnarlambos

I can tell this is going to be a record I listen to for years and years

BDC Matt

I sure am, never going to stop listening.

Dan Shultz

It's been years, are you still listening to it? I know I am. Such an amazing band.

David Beuthin

<3 these lyrics.

Jack Hooley

This album is gonna be sick. Gonna be hard for them to beat HYSMPC though

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