I don't think it's a terribly deep song or an allegory for race relations.
I suspect the song is a play on the trope of reggae songs talking generally about "da white mon" and "da black mon." So Ween introduce the China mon, and then let an absurd situation play out.
My favorite part is the quote in the middle. A fish seller in a market immediately yelling at a customer that a fish is "not broken." How does a fish break? Love it, love it, love it. Then the idea of returning a caught fish to the ocean- you're just throwing a carcass in the water.
I also like that his partner "consoles" him. It's a rather therapeutic word to use. Meanwhile the boatman stepped in to help out, too. Good role models in a Ween song.
One loose end that doesn't get tied up... what's up with the axe? Is that how the boatman "explained" or am I reading in to it too much?
One last theory to throw out there... This could be a fictionalized rendition of some altercation the band had on tour or something. Black man possibly Claude, but perhaps also Deaner since he's the fisherman and he is known for "My Own Bare Hands." The fruit man has guava, so possibly Gene or Dean. The man selling the axe could be selling a guitar.
I don't think it's a terribly deep song or an allegory for race relations.
I suspect the song is a play on the trope of reggae songs talking generally about "da white mon" and "da black mon." So Ween introduce the China mon, and then let an absurd situation play out.
My favorite part is the quote in the middle. A fish seller in a market immediately yelling at a customer that a fish is "not broken." How does a fish break? Love it, love it, love it. Then the idea of returning a caught fish to the ocean- you're just throwing a carcass in the water.
I also like that his partner "consoles" him. It's a rather therapeutic word to use. Meanwhile the boatman stepped in to help out, too. Good role models in a Ween song.
One loose end that doesn't get tied up... what's up with the axe? Is that how the boatman "explained" or am I reading in to it too much?
One last theory to throw out there... This could be a fictionalized rendition of some altercation the band had on tour or something. Black man possibly Claude, but perhaps also Deaner since he's the fisherman and he is known for "My Own Bare Hands." The fruit man has guava, so possibly Gene or Dean. The man selling the axe could be selling a guitar.