Possum of the Grotto

While I'm not exactly sure what the full meaning of this song is, I do have a few theories. Although the last two lines confuse me, " He lives under the banyon tree. When I'm in trouble, he helps me. I hear him creep Through the leaves at night. His flesh is pink, But his fur is bright snow white!" the first stanza seems to be taking about Buddah. Having found disillusioned with palace life, Siddhartha Gautama went out into the world. On his journey, he saw three of the main evils of the world, sickness, old age and death, he then decided to find a way to end the suffering. After a few failed attemps, one of which was taking on the ascetic life, Gautama went into meditation under the Bodhi tree (aka the Banyan tree). Althrough the night he was plauged by the evil Mara in his attempts to distract him from his mission. Nonetheless, Gautama defeated Mara, realized the cause of suffering and how to remove it. From then on he would be known as Shakyamuni Buddha. There is also the line, "Alkalize or die" which is not only a term for having balanced diet, but is also a book. So it seems that the song has something to do with ones expression towards sprituality. Whatever it means, it is one of their most perplexing songs.

Also, I think that this song may have something to do with the large amount of importance that is placed on physical and spiritual health; and how much people allow themselves to get caught up in it.

I think she's referring to Theodore Baroody the author of Alkalize or die as being the possum of the grotto.

...and ideas...? "Alkilize or die"??? Aaaargh. >< Perhaps there's no use thinking about it. It is a fabulous song. Quite easy to get stuck in one's head.

*any

arent 'grottos' related to the Church of Satan? like, groups formed by members to celebrate cults, rituals, etc. i think i have seen this on Anton Lavey's Satanic Bible, but I´m not sure.

I looked up "Alkilize" on dictionary.com, after nothing came up, so I tried "Alkalize" and go "Alkali" and go:

1) A carbonate or hydroxide of an alkali metal, the aqueous solution of which is bitter, slippery, caustic, and characteristically basic in reactions. 2) Any of various soluble mineral salts found in natural water and arid soils. 3) Alkali metal. 4) A substance having highly basic properties; a strong base.

So in conclusion, I have no clue what this song means at all. :D

It sounds to me like a fairytale of some forest monster. Some sort of forest devil, or maybe Anna Nicole's lard.

This song is great, but I wish I knew what it meant. I guess I'll go with Cris925's explanation.

It's very obvious the references to having a forbidden lover---the album this is from having a theme of the Old South. Could it be an interracial affair? Possums are often associated with hillbilly, ruffian types, the kind a cultured lady of that era would not be allowed to associate with.