Phish.net

Phish surprised everyone with this left-field cover of Bob Marley’s “Trench Town Rock,” perhaps one of the most raw and meaningful songs ever written. Opening the 8/11/98 Star Lake show, “Trench Town” was greeted with a huge, all-engulfing cheer from everyone in the amphitheater, both those who were Bob Marley fans and those who mistook the song’s opening for “Harry Hood.” 

Watch Trench Town Rock on YouTube Bob Marley – "Trench Town Rock"

Phish’s version of the tune is surprisingly strong, considering it was a likely one-timer. The vocals are fine, and the guys get the song’s sound about as right as four white New Englanders could ever get it. Fans curious to hear the original may want to grab the live Marley version from Live! before looking for the studio track recorded on African Herbsman.

(Marley)
© Fifty Six Hope Road Music Ltd. (ASCAP)

One good thing about music, when it hits you (you feel no pain)
Oh, oh, I say, one good thing about music, when it hits you (you feel no pain)
Hit me with music, hit me with music now

This is (Trench Town rock), don't watch that
(Trench Town rock) big fish or sprat now
(Trench Town rock) you reap what you sow
(Trench Town rock) and only Jah, Jah know
(Trench Town rock) I'd never turn my back
(Trench Town rock) I'd give the slum a try
(Trench Town rock) I'd never let the children cry
(Trench Town rock), 'cause you got to tell Jah, Jah why

(Groovin') It's Kingston 12
(groovin'), it's Kingston 12
(groovin') it's Kingston 12 now
(groovin'), it's Kingston 12
No want you come galang so, oh no
(... no want you fe galang so), ska-ba-dip-ska-ba
(You want come cold I up ...) Ska-ba-dibby-dip,
ska-ba-doop, ska-ba-doop (... cold I up)
Oh, oh, I'm groovin', and the world knows by now,
now, now, now, now, now, now, now, y'all

Oh now, I said, you feel no pain now
One good thing about music, when it hits you (you feel no ...) feel no pain
Hit me with music now, oh now, hit me with music now
Hit me with music, harder, brutalize me (... music)

This is (Trench Town rock), I say don't watch that
(Trench Town rock) big fish or sprat now
(Trench Town rock) you reap what you sow
(Trench Town rock) and everyone know now
(Trench Town rock) I'd never turn my back
(Trench Town rock) I'd give the slum a try
(Trench Town rock) I'd never let the children cry
(Trench Town rock), 'cause you got to tell Jah, Jah why

(Groovin') It's Kingston 12
(groovin'), it's Kingston 12
(groovin') I said, it's Kingston 12 now
(groovin'), oh, oh, oh, it's Kingston 12
(No want you fe galang so) Didn't I told you that
(no want you fe galang so) we should leave with love?
(You want come cold I up ...) I'm not gonna do that, man,
nothin' (... come cold I ...), and look deh now
(Groovin') And then it's Kingston
12, uh

(Good God ...) Good God, lookie here now, uh
Hit me with music ...