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Phish.netImmigrant Song
Immigrant Song has not been seen in 1004 Phish shows.
It was last played: 1989-07-01.
It was played at 0.1% of live shows.
It has been performed live 2 time(s).
Music/Lyrics: Page/Plant
Original Artist: Led Zeppelin
Original Album: Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Vocals: Phish/Merry Pranksters
Debut: 1989-07-01
Historian: Chris Bertolet (bertoletdown)
"Epic" is a word used all too often these days. Perhaps we should agree as English speaking peoples to reserve use of the term for novels by Homer and songs by Led Zeppelin.
"Immigrant Song" was inspired by Zeppelin's first journey to Iceland ("Come from the land of the ice and snow"). It was a simple cultural mission, but Plant being Plant, the lyrics that spilled from his pen told of Vikings sailing out from Scandinavia in search of new lands.
Watch Immigrant Song on YouTube
Phish delivered an a capella reading of "Immigrant Song" as they began their encore on 7/1/89, more a gag than a proper homage. It wasn't until 11/14/95 in Orlando, however, that the band gave the thundering riff its proper due in the middle of a skull-crushing "YEM." Yes, the "Stash" from that set casts a long and dark shadow, and deservedly so, but the "YEM" is also a must-hear.
The "Immigrant Song" lick also served as the springboard for the iconic and singularly evil Big Cypress "Mike's," which may be as notable for Chris Kuroda's visual statement as it was for the performance itself.
Watch Immigrant Song on YouTube
Watch Immigrant Song on YouTube
Lyrics:
© Superhype Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP)
A-ah-ahh-ah, ah-ah-ahh-ah
We come from the land of the ice and snow
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands
To fight the horde and sing and cry, Valhalla, I am coming
On we sweep with, with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the western shore
Ah-ah-ahh-ah, ah-ah-ahh-ah
We come from the land of the ice and snow
from the midnight sun where the hot springs FLOW
How soft your fields, so green
can whisper tales of gore, of how we calmed the tides of war
We are your overlords
On we sweep with, with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the western shore
S-so now you better stop and rebuild all your ruins
for peace and trust can winthe day despite of all you're losin'
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ahh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
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