Album sleeve artwork for his four Marillion albums and most of his solo albums has been done by Mark Wilkinson.
Fish is not to be confused with Phish, Chris Squire (“The Fish”), Barry Melton ("the Fish" of Country Joe & the Fish), Grossa or Bradley Fish.
He has worked with many other artists, including Tony Banks (Genesis) and Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s (Ayreon) as the Highlander in Into the Electric Castle.
2. Fish is a Chinese experimental electronic musician.
3. fish is the name of a Soundcloud account used by electronic musician Gupi.
The Leaving
Fish Lyrics
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Pale skies of swirling snowflakes lay a shroud upon the ground
To a scarred and shattered landscape some brief dignity is shown
Where the dead remain unburied on the dark and blood-stained earth
The fronts inch slowly forward the battalions follow on
The new blood marches to the Caissons song
Strangers fill the spaces join the beleaguered rank and file
But the ground will be retaken, the offensives bogging down
Countering attacks they stall and fail
The stalemate still continued and the guns still took their toll
And the generals counted casualties as the soldiers vainly fell
It had to end, the armies broken
One side had lost but who had won
The ravaged land, the decimation
So hard to bear, the loss and pain
The men returned, the war was over
The bells rang out, a country cheered
Behind their eyes they stored the horrors
Behind their smiles they hid their fears
The medals and the honours were handed out to those who served
The letters of condolences were kept
Reminding generations of the sacrifices made
The suffering and the torment of the men most never knew, lest we forget.
Fish's song "The Leaving" is a haunting depiction of war and its aftermath. The opening lines describe a desolate winter landscape, with bone-chilling winds and swirling snowflakes forming a shroud over the ground where dead bodies remain unburied. This vivid imagery sets the tone for the rest of the song, which explores the horrors of war and the toll it takes on soldiers and their families.
The lyrics describe the slow advance of military fronts, with new soldiers marching to the sound of caissons. They are joined by strangers who fill the ranks of the beleaguered army, knowing that they will likely face further battles and perhaps even death. Despite their efforts, the offensives bog down and the stalemate continues, with casualties mounting on both sides.
The song ends with a sobering reflection on the aftermath of war, as the soldiers return home to a country that cheers them while they silently bear the scars of the conflict. The medals and honours they receive cannot fully replace the losses they have suffered, and the memory of the sacrifices made is kept alive through letters of condolence and remembrance.
Overall, "The Leaving" is a powerful indictment of war and its devastating effects, reminding us that the cost of conflict is not just measured in death tolls but in the long-lasting trauma it inflicts on those who survive.
Line by Line Meaning
In the gnawing bite of winter; the winds, bone chilling, howl
The author sets a cold, miserable winter scene with howling winds.
Pale skies of swirling snowflakes lay a shroud upon the ground
The snow has covered the ground in a white blanket.
To a scarred and shattered landscape some brief dignity is shown
Even in the middle of destruction, there is a small glimmer of hope and respect.
Where the dead remain unburied on the dark and blood-stained earth
There are still many dead soldiers lying on the ground, unburied, in a disturbing sight.
The fronts inch slowly forward the battalions follow on
The war moves forward slowly with each new front.
The new blood marches to the Caissons song
New recruits go to war to the beat of the drums.
Strangers fill the spaces join the beleaguered rank and file
The army is made up of strangers who join the fighting out of duty.
Resigned to further battles further up the line
The soldiers have no choice but to accept more fighting up ahead.
But the ground will be retaken, the offensives bogging down
Despite setbacks, the soldiers are determined to win back the land they've lost.
Countering attacks they stall and fail
The army tries to counter the attacks of the enemy, but fail to do so.
The stalemate still continued and the guns still took their toll
Neither side could gain an advantage, and casualties on both sides continued to rise.
And the generals counted casualties as the soldiers vainly fell
The generals keep track of the dead and wounded as soldiers continue to be killed.
It had to end, the armies broken
The war needed to come to a close, as both sides were suffering losses.
One side had lost but who had won
Although one side was officially declared the winner, it's hard to determine who really won the war.
The ravaged land, the decimation
The fighting left the land in shambles, and many people were killed.
So hard to bear, the loss and pain
The pain of the war is difficult to deal with and move on from.
The men returned, the war was over
The soldiers finally came home and the war officially ended.
The bells rang out, a country cheered
People were happy to have the soldiers come home and the war come to a close.
Behind their eyes they stored the horrors
Even though they came home, the soldiers still remember the terrible things they saw during the war.
Behind their smiles they hid their fears
Despite their happiness to come home, the soldiers still carry sadness and fear with them.
The medals and the honours were handed out to those who served
Those who fought were recognized for their bravery and service to their country.
The letters of condolences were kept
Families kept letters of condolence as a reminder of those who didn't come home.
Reminding generations of the sacrifices made
The memories of those who served continue to inspire future generations.
The suffering and the torment of the men most never knew, lest we forget.
The pain and suffering of soldiers who fought in the war should never be forgotten as a tribute to their sacrifice and bravery.
Contributed by Lincoln B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.