Foxes Wedding
Clouds Lyrics


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Do you know what day it is today?
Showers gently clean the air for you-know-who
Colored canoe
Will get you through
Colored canoe

Did she tell you you're forbidden?
If you saw them you could never return
Colored canoe
Will get you through
Colored canoe

Hide behind a tree and don't you make a sound
Don't even breathe and you'll be okay
You will see them moving past you
Like a red and burning ocean
Slow as a cloud
'Til they turn around
Run boy, fly boy, to the river
She'll be waiting to deliver you home

Colored canoe
Will get you through
Colored canoe
Takes care of you

Colored canoe
Orange and blue




Lavender too
Shiny and new

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of “Foxes Wedding” by Clouds narrate an adventure that happens on a specific day, but it is not clear what the occasion is. The opening line “Do you know what day it is today?” invokes an air of mystery. The song then mentions showers that “gently clean the air” for an unknown person. The following lines, “Colored canoe will get you through,” suggest that the adventure involves a ride on a boat. The boat is then described in the following lines as “colored” and becomes a symbol of escape or a means to move forward.


The song’s narrative seems to shift to a more sinister tone as it describes a character who is forbidden to see someone or something. Whoever this person or thing is, it can never be returned once seen. A warning conveyed in these lines. However, the colored canoe is once again mentioned as the way to escape or move forward from this prohibition.


The chorus of the song describes the tension that has been built up to this point, imagining the character hiding behind a tree without making a sound so as not to be caught by the thing that is forbidden. The character sees the thing, whatever it may be, move past them “like a red and burning ocean”. The final lines of the chorus encourage the character to run and fly to the river because the “colored canoe” will be waiting to deliver them safe and sound to their destination. The final stanza reinforces that the colored canoe is a trustworthy vehicle that will always take care of the character.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you know what day it is today?
The singer asks if the listener is aware of the significance of the present day


Showers gently clean the air for you-know-who
It is implied that the rain is providing a pleasant atmosphere for a special occasion or event, alluding to a secretive ritual or ceremony.


Colored canoe Will get you through Colored canoe
The colored canoe is a symbol of safety and security, promising to transport people to their intended destination.


Did she tell you you're forbidden?
The question probes the listener's knowledge of an apparent curse or taboo placed upon this ceremony, a consequence of which will occur upon discovery.


If you saw them you could never return
The presence of some unknown, powerful force at the undisclosed event is suggested to be dangerously irresistible, compelling people to keep coming back and getting lost anew.


Hide behind a tree and don't you make a sound Don't even breathe and you'll be okay
The singer shares advice on how to conceal oneself during the event so as not to be caught in the attention of the aforementioned force, implying that defiance or misstep would lead to peril.


You will see them moving past you Like a red and burning ocean Slow as a cloud 'Til they turn around
The mysterious force is described in seemingly conflicting terms of movement, maintaining both an ominous, fiery essence and a languid, drifting pace.


Run boy, fly boy, to the river She'll be waiting to deliver you home
The singer encourages a fleeing one to take refuge in the river, which will act as a means of escape and deliver them away from the threatening event or place.


Colored canoe Will get you through Colored canoe Takes care of you
The singer reiterates the safety and comfort promised by the colored canoe, emphasizing its ability to guide and protect passengers during their escapades.


Colored canoe Orange and blue Lavender too Shiny and new
The colored canoe is further described as new and brightly decorated with shades of orange, blue, and lavender. Its appearance represents the hope and optimism of a new beginning, revealed by the escape it offers.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JODI PHILLIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@joelstibbard1165

Unbelievably great band with really unique songwriters. I saw the Clouds live twice in Hobart

@skweekah

Sweet. What an amazing voice and amazing band.

@drumdust

Such a great song from such a great band.
So many years ago now.

@patrickniehus3132

You gotta love the jangle, the bell-like guitars, the vocal layering. One of the greatest Australian bands of all time. They should have been HUGE. Grunge crowded them out, unfortunately....not quite grainy enough, not quite dysfunctional enough. That's everyone else's loss.

@joannebrookes4217

Saw these guys at Livid Festival way back in the 90s. Great band. Loved them.

@mathewharwood6587

love the song ,,,,, thx

@jonnafry

brilliance !!

@mathewharwood6587

top self song the harmony ,,,, and melody , ,,,,, ,,, ,, very nice ,,,, thx girls ,, ,,, back in the day,,, ,,..... ,,,.,.,.,.,,, ,, respect thx most kind..

@roberthales2579

THE CLOUDS ANTHEM

@rotamina

The clouds are underscovered because the baby boomers dominate the music scene especially in Australia. Barnsey and cold chisel anyone-no thanks. They are absolutely fantasic and up there with Stevie Wonder in my view. If they got together again they should go to America australia is too provincial. I ;ove this song anyway

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