The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
the Camel in the desert took a ship across the lake
while the Fish in search of water found a Fig with a bellyache
who overheard the waves as they headed for the shore:
we're not so sure of separations anymore!
at the Caterpillar picnic Brother Butterfly stole a rhubarb stem,
licked and dipped it in the sugar bowl
caught out for Massachusetts in a double-stack train
through the Adirondacks, spinning like a weathervane
gathering & cutting & splitting & stacking the wood
our fuel is neatly piled and we all feel good
we pretend to care and like we understand
our eyes go soft, but know it now:
what we're thinking about's your mammary glands
and how to sail your birth canal
we found a pot to fit the lid, to
know less now than when we were smarter did
our thoughts are like a teabag on the saucer -
all the flavor gone
the Dog below our waist's aroused
as arms embrace the pretty Gals
but came much more as a surprise
it happening while I hugged the Guys!
we planted before the final frost and
once were found but now we're lost
we've got a heckuva lot to learn
about remaining Taciturn
while the Fish in search of water found a Fig with a bellyache
who overheard the waves as they headed for the shore:
we're not so sure of separations anymore!
at the Caterpillar picnic Brother Butterfly stole a rhubarb stem,
licked and dipped it in the sugar bowl
caught out for Massachusetts in a double-stack train
through the Adirondacks, spinning like a weathervane
gathering & cutting & splitting & stacking the wood
our fuel is neatly piled and we all feel good
we pretend to care and like we understand
our eyes go soft, but know it now:
what we're thinking about's your mammary glands
and how to sail your birth canal
we found a pot to fit the lid, to
know less now than when we were smarter did
our thoughts are like a teabag on the saucer -
all the flavor gone
the Dog below our waist's aroused
as arms embrace the pretty Gals
but came much more as a surprise
it happening while I hugged the Guys!
we planted before the final frost and
once were found but now we're lost
we've got a heckuva lot to learn
about remaining Taciturn
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About the "fig with a bellyache line"
Fig are a common homepathic remedy for stomach troubles and indegstion. Therefore, a fig with a bellyache is very ironic. It would be like saying "a tylenol with a headache" Like someone who can help other people with a problem or sin but they can't help themselves with it.