John The Fisherman
Primus Lyrics
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His mind would turn unto the waters.
Always the focus of adolescent ridicule,
He has no time for farmer's daughters.
Alienated from the clique society,
A lonely boy finds peace in fishing.
His mother says John this is not the way life's supposed to be.
Don't you see the life that you are missing?
When I grow up I want to be,
One of the harvesters of the sea.
I think before my days are done,
I want to be a fisherman.
Now years gone by we find man that rules the sea.
He sets out on a dark May morning .
To bring his catch back to this small community.
He doesn't see the danger dawning.
Four hours up, oh the ocean swelled and swelled,
The fog rolled in it started raining.
The starboard bow. Oh my God we're going down!
They do not hear his frantic mayday.
And he says
When I grow up I want to be,
One of the harvesters of the sea.
I think before my days are done,
I want to be a fisherman.
I'll live and die a fisherman.
Calling John the fisherman.
The lyrics of Primus's song John The Fisherman tells the story of a young boy named John who was not doing well in school and was constantly ridiculed by his peers due to his love for fishing. He found peace in fishing and alienated himself from the clique society. His mother was concerned about his future and warned him about the life he was missing out on, but John was determined to be a fisherman when he grew up. Fast forward several years later, John had grown up to become a successful fisherman who ruled the sea. He set out on a dark May morning to bring his catch back to his small community, but unfortunately, disaster struck. The ocean swelled, the fog rolled in and it started raining. The starboard bow went down, and despite his frantic mayday, no one could hear him. The song ends with the chorus of John expressing that he would live and die as a fisherman.
The song lyrically portrays the innocence and simplicity of childhood dreams. John found peace in fishing, and despite not having formal education, he chased his dreams and became successful. He loved what he did and wanted to live and die as a fisherman. The song's lyrics also touch on the dangers of the sea, and how nature and life can be unpredictable.
Line by Line Meaning
When he was young you'd not find him doing well in school,
When John was young, he was not interested in studying and was more fascinated by the waters.
His mind would turn unto the waters.
John's mind was always occupied with thoughts about fishing and the sea.
Always the focus of adolescent ridicule,
John was always teased by his peers during his teenage years.
He has no time for farmer's daughters.
John was not interested in the traditional farming lifestyle and preferred spending his time with the sea and fishing.
Alienated from the clique society,
John felt isolated and excluded from the popular social groups.
A lonely boy finds peace in fishing.
Fishing brought John inner satisfaction and tranquility despite his loneliness.
His mother says John this is not the way life's supposed to be.
John's mother disapproved of his love for fishing and thought he should have a more typical life.
Don't you see the life that you are missing?
John's mother believed he was not living the life he deserved by pursuing fishing.
When I grow up I want to be,
This line expresses John's childhood dream of becoming an accomplished fisherman.
One of the harvesters of the sea.
John wanted to be one of the skilled individuals who make a living from fishing in the sea.
I think before my days are done,
John was contemplating his ultimate goal in life and what he wanted to achieve before he passed away.
I want to be a fisherman.
John knew that his true passion and calling was to be a fisherman.
Now years gone by we find man that rules the sea.
After years of pursuing his dream, John became a successful and respected fisherman.
He sets out on a dark May morning .
John goes to sea at the start of a bleak May day to catch fish.
To bring his catch back to this small community.
John wanted to provide and share his successful catch with his fellow community members.
He doesn't see the danger dawning.
John was unaware of the upcoming danger and risk he faced on the sea that day.
Four hours up, oh the ocean swelled and swelled,
As hours passed by, the ocean waves grew stronger and more dangerous, causing concern and alarm to John.
The fog rolled in it started raining.
The weather conditions turned unfavorable with thick fog and heavy rain that made the situation more dangerous.
The starboard bow. Oh my God we're going down!
John realizes the imminent danger and terror devolves when his boat begins to sink.
They do not hear his frantic mayday.
Despite John's attempts to call for help (mayday), the others did not hear it.
I'll live and die a fisherman.
John knew that fishing was his life and he would continue to fish until the end.
Calling John the fisherman.
John is known in his community as a successful fisherman and is identified as such.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: LES CLAYPOOL, TIMOTHY W. ALEXANDER, TODD HUTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind