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"Carolina" (a.k.a. "Carolina in the Morning") represents one of several forays Phish has made into the barbershop quartet genre. It made its debut at Dartmouth College on 1/20/90, and in small (and sometimes not so small) venues was sung without amplification. Unfortunately, this often leads to a live recording consisting solely of the yells of an appreciative audience. 

A setlist workhorse from its debut through 1994, between 1995 and 1998 it was played seven times, and only once during “2.0” on 3/1/03 (in North Carolina). Remaining a rarity, the song has been played twice since the band returned from the break-up, both as show openers, including in Charleston, SC, in 2019.

Watch Carolina on YouTube Phish, "Carolina" – 4/29/90, Woodbury, CT

In concert, Phish takes “Carolina” seriously, respecting the uniquely American roots of the song. However, in one hilarious soundcheck from 5/4/90, Fishman makes the song eternally his. By rhyming “Carolina” with a certain female body part, Fish lets all of us experience what he calls “The Boy Scout Anthem.” Interested fans will seek this version out, as well as some of the later, amplified versions of “Carolina.”

Watch Carolina on YouTube Phish, "Carolina" – 3/1/03, Greensboro, NC

(Donaldson, Kahn)
© Kirby Shaw Music (ASCAP)

Wishing is good time wasted
Still it's a habit they say
Wishing for sweets I've tasted
That's all I do all day
Maybe there's nothing in wishing
But speaking of wishing I'll say:

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning
No one could be sweeter than my sweetie when I meet her in the morning
Where the morning glories
Twine around the door
Whispering pretty stories
I long to hear once more
Strolling with my girlie where the dew is pearly early in the morning
Butterflies all flutter up and kiss each little buttercup at dawning
If I had Aladdin's lamp for only a day
I'd make a wish and here's what I'd say:
Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning

Dreaming was meant for nighttime
I live in dreams all the day
I know it's not the right time
But still I dream away
What could be sweeter than dreaming
Just dreaming and drifting away

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning
No one could be sweeter than my sweetie when I meet her in the morning
Where the morning glories
Twine around the door
Whispering pretty stories
I long to hear once more
Strolling with my girlie where the dew is pearly early in the morning
Butterflies all flutter up and kiss each little buttercup at dawning
If I had Aladdin's lamp for only a day
I'd make a wish and here's what I'd say:
Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning