In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
[ Don Rich ]
Well I'm fishin' in the middle of the Mississippi river
And the water's too muddy to drink
Big catfish bitin' on the little pole and my baby's waitin' on the bank
Well you tried to make a livin' on the Mississippi river it's a mighty hard life to live
But I'm gonna build a house for my pretty little baby
And I'm gonna build it on the hill
Well maybe if I'm lucky I'll catch a catfish and I'll sell 'em for a dollar bill
Then I'm gonna buy another board and a pocketful of nails
For my little house on the hill
Well I'm fishin' in the middle...
[ fiddle ]
My pappy told me there's sure gonna be a lotta hard times a comin' around
But I'd rather go a fishin' on the Mississippi river than livin' in a cold cold ground
Well I can't make whiskey like all the others oh my baby would set me free
I have to go runnin' down Mississippi river when the law come callin' on me
Well I'm fishin' in the middle...
Well I'm fishin' in the middle...
Well I'm fishin' in the middle of the Mississippi river
And the water's too muddy to drink
Big catfish bitin' on the little pole and my baby's waitin' on the bank
Well you tried to make a livin' on the Mississippi river it's a mighty hard life to live
But I'm gonna build a house for my pretty little baby
And I'm gonna build it on the hill
Well maybe if I'm lucky I'll catch a catfish and I'll sell 'em for a dollar bill
Then I'm gonna buy another board and a pocketful of nails
For my little house on the hill
Well I'm fishin' in the middle...
[ fiddle ]
My pappy told me there's sure gonna be a lotta hard times a comin' around
But I'd rather go a fishin' on the Mississippi river than livin' in a cold cold ground
Well I can't make whiskey like all the others oh my baby would set me free
I have to go runnin' down Mississippi river when the law come callin' on me
Well I'm fishin' in the middle...
Well I'm fishin' in the middle...
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.