Summer's Cauldron

I think this is a song about debauchery and heavy drug use during summer, when these activities are more common. The narrator is clearly going through some kind of pain, as he says he is "drowning", and for whatever reason, he's shouting for help.

There are some pretty subtle drug references in here. "Boiling butter" could refer to cannabis butter, "flower lava" could be heroin or another opiate, "grass" and "trees" is cannabis, and there are clearer references to alcohol. He equates himself to a bug drowning in brandy.

During the summer, rockers would find themselves using drugs likely every day. Partying, losing oneself in the night, and the haze of smoke sets in on one's brain like a cloud. The narrator knows that he's hurting himself, which is why he's shouting. But he begs not to be saved, because he's enjoying himself in the moment.

I love XTC and have since "english settlement" came out years ago. I think this song is a praise to sunny summer days.

I agree with dogARTit, this song is definitely about lazy, beautiful summer days and enjoying the simples pleasures they offer. I especially love all the clever, vivid imagery such as the "Insect bomber Buddhist droning" and "Fruit of sweating golden Inca." I just got into XTC this last summer and would listen to it while driving, walking, and riding my bike around while being conscious that the summer was fleeting, but enjoying every minute of it.

Last post didn't make sense to me, sorry.

Yes, I agree (to two above posts) - a very pastoral song too.

I think the first reviewer missed some things. Andy grew up in Swindon. Summer is like a Renaissance- Trees drunk with Nectar.....This is how I would want to go..... I think it's pretty Axiomatic. Who wants to "go" in the winter?

i think this is more of a spring song than a summer song... it seems to call the image of a day in the 70's and low 80's farenheit. the summers i know don't have this kind of vibe, they have more the vibe of sly & the family stone - there's a riot goin on. britain is more north though, so i understand how that would be the sound of their summer.

I think this song is about being a fetus in the womb when it's summer time.