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Many fans are surprised when they hear for the first time that Phish used to cover an XTC song. Although it may seem odd at first, a quick listen of the 6+ minute original on XTC’s brilliant English Settlement album will possibly clear up matters. The song is rather bizarre, featuring a complex, textured composition, witty and satirically pointed lyrics, and an open-ended invitation to jam. Phish certainly accepted that invitation on 4/29/87, which features the most notorious version of this song, which segues into a manic, extended “Dave’s Energy Guide.” Get this show – it’s some of the best early Phish around. Ironically, this would be the final known appearance of the song in the Phish setlist.

Watch Melt the Guns on YouTube XTC "Melt the Guns"

(Partridge)
© EMI Virgin Songs Inc. (BMI)

Programmes of violence
As entertainment
Brings the disease into your room
We know the germ
Which is man made in metal
Is really a key to your own tomb

Prevention is better than cure
Bad apples affecting the pure
You'll gather your senses, I'm sure
Then agree to

Melt the guns
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more to fire them
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more desire them
Melt the guns (you want to)
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more to fire them
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more desire them

Children will want them
Mothers supply them
As long as your killers are heroes
And all the media
Will fiddle while Rome burns
Acting like modern time Neros

Prevention is better than cure
Bad apples affecting the pure
You'll gather your senses, I'm sure
Then agree to

Melt the guns
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more to fire them
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more desire them
Melt the guns (you want to)
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more to fire them
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more desire them

I'm speaking to the Justice League of America
The US of A
Hey, you
Yes, you in particular
When it comes to the judgement day, and you're standing at the gates in your weaponry
You dead go down on one knee, clasp your hands in prayer and start quoting me
'Cause we say
'Cause we say
Our father we've managed to contain the epidemic in one place, now
Let's hope they shoot themselves instead of others, help to civilize the race now
We've trapped the cause of the plague in the land of the free and the home of the brave
If we listen quietly you can hear them shooting from grave to grave
If we listen quietly you can hear them shooting from grave to grave
If we listen quietly you can hear them shooting from grave to grave
Grave to grave to grave to grave to grave to grave
Grave to grave to grave to grave to grave to grave
You should

Melt the guns
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more to fire them
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more desire them
Melt the guns (you want to)
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more to fire them
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
Melt the guns
And never more desire them

Melt the guns
Melt the guns now
Melt the guns
Oh, melt the guns now
Melt the guns
Melt the guns now
Melt the guns
Melt the guns now