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.
Vigil
Fish Lyrics
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Just quietin' down for a voice in the crowd.
I get so confused; I don't understand.
I know you feel the same way; you've always wanted to say,
But you don't get the chance; just a voice in the crowd.
I don't know the score anymore; it's not clear anymore.
I can't tell right from wrong anymore; I just don't understand.
I was sitting here thinking of exchanging a new world for old,
When I was young, my father told me just the bad guys die;
At the time just a little white lie.
It was one of the first, but it hurt me the most,
And the truth stung like tears in my eye;
That even the good guys must die.
There's no reasoning, no crimes, and I never knew why;
Even now it still makes me cry.
If there's somebody up there could they throw me down a line?
Just a little helping hand, just a little understanding.
Just some answers to the questions that surround me now.
If there's somebody up there could they throw me down a line?
Just a little guiding light to tell wrong from right.
Just some answers to the questions that I'm asking you.
I keep a vigil in a wilderness of mirrors
Where nothing, here, is ever what it seems.
You stand so close, but you never understand it.
For all that we see is not what it seems; am I blind?
And you sit there and talk revolution,
But can you tell me just who's in command?
When you tell me the forces we are fighting
Then I'll gladly join and make plans.
But for now, only, our t-shirts cry freedom,
And our voices are gagged by our greed.
Our minds are harnessed by knowledge
By the hill and the will to succeed.
And if that's not what you believe,
Would you let me know I'm not standing alone;
That I'm not just a voice in the crowd.
If there's somebody up there, could they throw me down a line?
Just a little helping hand, just a little understanding.
Just a little understanding to the questions that I'm asking you.
If there's somebody up there, could they throw me down a line?
Just a little guiding light to tell wrong from right.
Just some answers to the questions that I'm asking you.
I'll keep a vigil in a wilderness of mirrors
Where nothing, here, is ever what it seems.
I'm scared to shout in case I draw attention from the powers
That preside over our minds and our lives.
When they find what I want is the deadliest weapon; that is truth;
Day by day it's getting louder,
And day by day it's getting stronger.
But when I can't scream no more, and I need reassurance,
I listen to the crowd.
(And the boy stood, and stared at the hill. And the hill stared back.)
In "Vigil", Fish addresses the feelings of confusion and disillusionment that often arise from living in a world where right and wrong are not always clear, and where those in power may not have our best interests at heart. Throughout the song, Fish expresses a desire for clarity and guidance, and seeks connection with others who may share his sense of unease. He opens by asking for attention and understanding, emphasizing that he is only one voice among many, struggling to make sense of a complex and often overwhelming world.
Fish goes on to explore the theme of mortality, touching on a childhood memory of his father telling him that only bad guys die, only to later learn that even good people must face death. This realization is a painful one, and underscores the sense of confusion and ambiguity that permeates the song. Later, Fish turns his attention to political and social issues, criticizing those who talk about revolution without understanding the forces at play or having a clear plan for change. He suggests that our minds and our lives are often ruled by hidden powers, and that speaking truth to power can be a dangerous endeavor. Yet despite these challenges, Fish remains committed to seeking out answers and forging connections with others who share his quest for understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen to me, just hear me out; if I could have your attention
Please pay attention to me and let me speak.
Just quietin' down for a voice in the crowd.
Asking people to be quiet and listen to what is being said.
I get so confused; I don't understand.
Feeling lost and not being able to comprehend things.
I know you feel the same way; you've always wanted to say, But you don't get the chance; just a voice in the crowd.
Acknowledging that others feel the same way but their voices are also unheard.
I don't know the score anymore; it's not clear anymore.
Not being able to understand or keep up with the ever-changing rules and systems.
I can't tell right from wrong anymore; I just don't understand.
Feeling lost as to what is the correct course of action or decision.
I was sitting here thinking of exchanging a new world for old, Like changing channels on the tv, or the dirt we stand in to gold.
Contemplating making a change for the better, but realizing it's not as easy as simply flipping a switch.
When I was young, my father told me just the bad guys die; At the time just a little white lie.
A childhood memory of being told a comforting untruth.
It was one of the first, but it hurt me the most, And the truth stung like tears in my eye; That even the good guys must die.
Discovering the harsh reality that death is not reserved for only the wicked.
There's no reasoning, no crimes, and I never knew why; Even now it still makes me cry.
Feeling perplexed and unable to understand the unjustness of certain situations, provoking tears.
If there's somebody up there could they throw me down a line? Just a little helping hand, just a little understanding.
Asking for assistance and comprehension from a higher power.
Just some answers to the questions that surround me now.
Seeking resolution to the questions plaguing the singer's mind.
Just a little guiding light to tell wrong from right.
Asking for discernment to distinguish between right and wrong choices.
I keep a vigil in a wilderness of mirrors Where nothing, here, is ever what it seems.
Observing in a place of ambiguity, where things may not be as they appear.
You stand so close, but you never understand it.
Feeling misunderstood and unheard, despite proximity to others.
For all that we see is not what it seems; am I blind?
Feeling unsure if one's perception is unreliable or skewed.
And you sit there and talk revolution, But can you tell me just who's in command?
Questioning the legitimacy and leadership power of those calling for change.
When you tell me the forces we are fighting Then I'll gladly join and make plans.
Asking for clear and specified enemies and issues to unite against.
But for now, only, our t-shirts cry freedom, And our voices are gagged by our greed.
Acknowledging that symbols of freedom do nothing to effect change and that selfishness may be muting the calls for action.
Our minds are harnessed by knowledge By the hill and the will to succeed.
Being bound by institutionalized systems and the desire for personal success.
And if that's not what you believe, Would you let me know I'm not standing alone; That I'm not just a voice in the crowd.
Requesting affirmation that someone shares the same perspective and that not all opinions are the same.
I'm scared to shout in case I draw attention from the powers That preside over our minds and our lives.
Being fearful of the groups or individuals who control the masses.
When they find what I want is the deadliest weapon; that is truth;
The singer believes the truth is the most threatening weapon against current oppressive forces.
Day by day it's getting louder, And day by day it's getting stronger.
The call for change is growing and becoming more evident with each passing day.
But when I can't scream no more, and I need reassurance, I listen to the crowd.
When losing energy and feeling powerless, finding solace in the unity of others who share the same struggle.
(And the boy stood, and stared at the hill. And the hill stared back.)
A mysterious and enigmatic ending to the song.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: JOHN COLTRANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind