Sand
Phish (studio) Lyrics
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But not affect the cause
It's quite a bit like trying to heal
The gunshot wound with gauze
If you instead attempt to rest
The pistol from the hand
Then I would not be able to
Equate my life with sand
Flowing through the hourglass
Pushing through the funnel
Turn once more and racing
All your siblings for the tunnel
Slide and let the silicone
Embrace you as you fall
Then bounce around
And let your brothers
Crush you to the wall
I would choose my own religion
Worship my own spirit
But if he ever preached to me
I wouldn't want to hear it
I'd drop him a forgotten god
Languishing in shame
And then if I hit stormy seas
I'd have myself to blame
If you can heal the symptoms,
But not affect the cause
You can't heal the symptoms
The lyrics of “Sand” by Phish delve into the complexities of trying to heal the symptoms without addressing the root cause. The first verse paints a clear image of attempting to fix a gunshot wound with gauze, which is a futile and temporary solution. The singer asserts that removing the pistol from the hand and addressing the underlying issue is necessary. This act of solving the root of the problem represents the better part of wisdom, and it requires more effort and attention than simply treating the symptoms.
Phish continues the song’s theme by diving into the passage of time and the futility of fighting against it. The second verse describes the inevitability and cyclical nature of time. The hourglass, funnel, tunnel, and the silicone represent the passing of time, and this passage is something we can’t fight. Instead, the singer suggests that we embrace it and go with the flow, accepting what comes our way, even if it crushes us against a wall. By acknowledging that we can’t fight time, we will gain some measure of control in our lives.
The song ends with the chorus, reaffirming the message highlighted throughout the song. If we can only heal the symptoms without addressing the root cause, then we can never fully heal. The causes of our problems, whether they stem from external pressures or within ourselves, must be addressed head-on. It is only through this that we can hope to see meaningful change and healing.
Line by Line Meaning
If you can heal the symptoms
You can't heal the symptoms if the root issue remains
But not affect the cause
If the root issue remains, the symptoms can't be wholly cured
It's quite a bit like trying to heal
Treating a more serious wound with a simple bandage
The gunshot wound with gauze
Trying to fix a severe problem with an ineffective solution
If you instead attempt to rest
In order to treat the issue more effectively
The pistol from the hand
Removing the weapon causing the problem
Then I would not be able to
If I can't properly address the issue
Equate my life with sand
I can't value my life for what it truly is
Flowing through the hourglass
A metaphor of time constantly moving forward
Pushing through the funnel
Progressing towards inevitable destination
Turn once more and racing
A new beginning to move forward again in the journey
All your siblings for the tunnel
Others sharing similar experiences
Slide and let the silicone
Letting things take their natural course
Embrace you as you fall
Accepting the unknown and making peace with it
Then bounce around
Accepting our position in this journey
And let your brothers
Other individuals and collective experiences
Crush you to the wall
Pushing forward and making progress
I would choose my own religion
A personal choice of individual beliefs and spirituality
Worship my own spirit
Tuning into oneself
But if he ever preached to me
But if someone attempted to convert me
I wouldn't want to hear it
I wouldn't be interested in hearing their opinion
I'd drop him a forgotten god
I wouldn't be swayed by their beliefs
Languishing in shame
The idea that other beliefs being less important is problematic
And then if I hit stormy seas
If life gets tough
I'd have myself to blame
Only I am responsible for my life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TOM MARSHALL, TREY ANASTASIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brad Butler
If you can heal the symptoms
But not affect the cause
It's quite a bit like trying to heal
The gunshot wound with gauze
If you instead attempt to rest
The pistol from the hand
Then I would not be able to
Equate my life with sand
Flowing through the hourglass
Pushing through the funnel
Turn once more and racing
All your siblings for the tunnel
Slide and let the silicone
Embrace you as you fall
Then bounce around
And let your brothers
Crush you to the wall
I would choose my own religion
Worship my own spirit
But if he ever preached to me
I wouldn't want to hear it
I'd drop him a forgotten god
Languishing in shame
And then if I hit stormy seas
I'd have myself to blame
If you can heal the symptoms,
But not affect the cause
You can't heal the symptoms
Jeffrey Prettyman
After 25 years of seeing them live and they can still amaze me and make me feel like a newbie.... How freaking fortunate to have been 18 in 1994 and witness the magic keep rolling on!!! So appreciative of every evening spent in this community and their presence..
John Smith
didnt jump on until 2003. I was 17 my 1st concert ever was a 3 day run at deer creek, so glad i went, id never even heard their music before that but been hittin shows ever since. Really is the some of the most fun you can have in a night or a weekend had another 3 night set here in indy last month and was a blast.
Brad Butler
Same here. I got into them in 92 I think. Im your age. It's been a fun ride.
Tommy Jeff
Jeffrey Prettyman as someone who was 5 years old in 94, I can confirm that you were extremely lucky to be 18 in 94.
PhishGuy20
8:09 Nothing's better than seeing Trey still getting this much into a shredding solo. This tour was incredible.
Matthew Werling
The iPhone generation simply can't hold a... an iPhone flashlight up to real music 🎶!!!
Maximus2318
I went to my first Phish show the other weekend with some friends... Some of the best times I've had in awhile !!!!
Evan J
Sand is one of the great Phish jams...
McCoy
One the have 100+ Great songs...
But I do fucking Love a good Sand
Just Jerry
Sand + CK5 = YEEEEUP