Raingods with Zippos

[Lady41]

Okay, firstly I'm sorry if I've posted this on the wrong forum, but I couldn't figure out which one it should go on

Anyways, the point of this is that I was listening to the epic Plague of Ghosts (and even got to like the chocolate frogs, which I hated the first time I heard it) and trying to suss out why the Raingods have zippos. Apart from the fact that Raingods Dancing is my favourite bit, I don't understand the reference to raingods with lighters. I've tried to understand in context to the whole thing - which I more or less understand - but just don't get this bit. Can someone enlighten me? It's probably the only part of Fish's lyrics, generally, that I don't understand

[arcademannequin]

If I'm being honest, despite absolutely loving the bones of the track, it's never been something I have sat down and tried to understand lyrically. I have just taken it at face value, as a fabulously atmospheric piece of music and poetry. - I've no idea what the song is about, what his thoughts were behind those words, context, place etc. - I'd like to know, though I don't think that this would enhance my appreciation for it any further. - As it is, I can put my slant on the words. - I like to call it 'applicability'!

[docbob]

Okay, firstly I'm sorry if I've posted this on the wrong forum, but I couldn't figure out which one it should

Moved to general Fish Discussion... No Marillion here!

[docbob]

Its all down to imagery... The flash of a zippo being struck.... The flash of lightning.......all imagery, as in poetry...

[Lady41]

I probably wouldn't normally worry too much about it, either, but I do like to understand the lyrics. I guess the only reason I query this is because it's actually the name of the album, and referred to many times during the course of the whole passage. If the words were in amongst, I probably wouldn't have noticed as much.

[Lady41]

Its all down to imagery... The flash of a zippo being struck.... The flash of lightning.......all imagery, as in poetry...

Thanks. Question answered. Having studied Shakespeare, I should have got this. However, I admit I missed it. But it all makes sense, now ... thank you

[mwelljester]

Okay, firstly I'm sorry if I've posted this on the wrong forum, but I couldn't figure out which one it should go on

Anyways, the point of this is that I was listening to the epic Plague of Ghosts (and even got to like the chocolate frogs, which I hated the first time I heard it) and trying to suss out why the Raingods have zippos. Apart from the fact that Raingods Dancing is my favourite bit, I don't understand the reference to raingods with lighters. I've tried to understand in context to the whole thing - which I more or less understand - but just don't get this bit. Can someone enlighten me? It's probably the only part of Fish's lyrics, generally, that I don't understand

I always thought that "Raingods with Zippos" referred to probable turbulent times happening if fish's life, Raingods refferring to turbulent times an bad luck handed down from above( as if the whole world was against him at this particular time), and the Zippos part refferring to how quickly these times when from one escalating situation to another.
And in the end the "Realisation(Wake-up call) that something had to be done(Make it happen)"

[RavenGirl]

I have always seen this song as being about small points of hope and light in the roughest of days - the Raingods dance out their tune and soak us all with misery [rain], but a Zippo lighter will always light even in a high wind or on a wet day and so this is the representation of hope.

However mean the Raingods are, they still have a shred of compassion and will never really dump us in the dark, and their Zippos are a constant light as in The Lord of The Rings where the Light of Rivendell is given as a gift to Frodo and Sam - there is a light that never goes out and is still there when others fail...

Hmm, Old Hippy tendencies still present and correct at Stella Towers...

[NB: I'm not suggesting that LOTR is the influence for Fish's lyrics/imagery, it's just a comparison]

[Jens]

I interpret it like this:

- raingods make rain

- rain quenches fire

- Zippos make fire

- rain prevents Zippos from functioning properly

so raingods with Zippos make attempts which they prevent themselves from ever being really successful - due to their own nature.

I think it`s a metaphor for those things you try which can never really work out,
simply due to what and who you are. You try and try, but simply for the fact that you are you, you could never possibly succeed.
You just waste time and energy and put yourself through the pain and frustration of continuously failing.

You keep standing in your own way.

[Conan]

Not sure why, but I assumed that the Zippo could be used to set off fire sprinkler systems... therefore causing rain even indoors. No idea where that idea came from though!