The Moma Dance

The lyrics in this song create such vivid imagery.  Oncce again a very
aquatic theme.  I picture an old school pirate ship on a psychedelic
ocean, bouncing on choppiy seas.  A frothing cap a steady slap, a biting
rain , take in the main"  "up the rigging take in sailmind the skipper
we'll not fail he'll bring out wine all will be fine just hear the order
watch the sail"  Very cool huh, as for a meaning I am not going to
philosiphize over the song, I just see it as a mellow funky psychedelic
pirate ship full of phish heads drinking wine, and minding the skipper.
Although this is an interpertation of mine, I'm in no way saying that it is the only one I have of the song. I am convinced that Phish, all members being very intelligent, is using the duality of man's existence to their advantage. They are mearly provoking us, as active listeners, to think. Because we are human and are very limited in our experiences, we tend to reflect all information on our situation, present and past. With that in mind, on to "Moma Dance". I believe that Phish is a band that tries to make the most of a single moment, one of an infinite number that exists at any given point in our understanding of time. While the band is one stage, they are producing a number of sounds that start from them, and their memory of the structure of the song. After they play through the structured harmony, they start to pick up with improvisation. IMO they use the idea of the continuous flow of energy that is our existence. When they are producing the music on stage and it is flowing to us, we have a choice at that point. Do we accept and invite it in, or do we deny it? For me the answer is easy! For some, however, it isn't. When those who choose to let the energy, via sound waves, enter their souls, they are letting in the souls of the band members. That energy then flows through to the people who don't accept it and it is stopped dead in its tracks. The beautiful flow is interupted, the oneness is lost. Again, IMO I believe that Phish is trying to create a perfect oneness in the moment with its audience. There can be something so pure in that moment if everyone will let there souls be on that wave of energy. So, when the band gazes out to the crowd and they see that people are not "surrendering to the flow", they question why they aren't convinced of the beauty of giving the soul to a bigger more pure power which is love. When there isn't participation by a person, in context of the whole that person looks all alone and impersonable. When they interupt the flow of energy like that, then it can't circle back to the the band and continue through. That explains the end of the moment. Being an active participant in a flow of energy is like being on a sail boat that is going with the flow of the wind and water, using to its advantage. If you are not participating, then its like using the sail against the flow. It is a very Toaist way to think. In the last lines of the song, Phish (the skipper) is simply saying that if you surrender your inhibitions to the flow of energy than everything will be glorious perfection (he'll bring out wine, all will be fine). To add to this, I'm pretty sure that Phish is very sincere in trying to create beautiful moments like that! But, when the moment is over, it is over. The grand finale at the Went might be an example!!!! My two cents. Zach 

Beyond my own interpretation of the song, I would suggest that the incessantly
 repeated line is not, "the MOMA dance," and perhaps not even, "the moment ends."
 This line may be a perfectly fused combination of the two, the former being 
the title of the song and the latter being part of the lyrics. Without delving
 into the phonemic constitution of both, I believe this is safe to assume, 
these words having such similar sounds and being fully aware that Phish are 
no strangers to thought-necessitating ambiguity (see: http://www.phish.net/PhishFAQ/syem.html).
 I believe Phish tries to reward their dedicated, analytical listeners with 
such linguistical phenomenon.   
roverman@usa.net



Just wanted to point out that at the time this song emerged, the works 
of the man who created the sculpture the "rhombus" was on exhibit at the 
Museum Of Modern Art (MOMA)...


Okay, I want some feedback!  THE MOMA DANCE! Without a doubt the 
signature of "today's phish
This song rocks no matter what the hell it means.  I love to do the MOMA. 
 I heard the fist MOMA in Copenhagen, and it's a must hear, Trey explains 
how to do the MOMA! Anyway I don't have a clue of the inspiration behind 
the song, but it obviously is refering to a sailing experience.  I don't 
know how many of you have sailed before, but it is definately an intense 
adventure.  The words 
     "All throughout I gaze and glimpse you,
      Nothing ever did convince you,
      I see you when you're all alone
      It's like a person I've not known"
I don't know it could be a reference to them looking out at the crowd, 
and recognizing familiar faces, feeling your energy as if they really 
know you. The second verse is definately speaking of sailing and one's 
particular responsibility in the teamwork of sailing a boat. But the 
moment definately ends. I think it could be from the point of the view of 
getting caught up in the beauty of the ocean and having to snap out of it 
very quickly when the winds change suddenly. It's like a reference to 
life in itself. We all get caught up in things and we have to wake up and 
realize that things have changed. THE MOMENT ENDS THOUGH I FEEL WINDS, 
BLOWING DIFFERENTLY THAN EVER BEFORE! 
ggrantham@mindspring.com
PHEEL DA PHUNK DO THA MOMA!


OK, after much debate on the moma dance lyrics, here's what i think fishman is
singing in his humorous manner. "The moma dance, though I feel limp, the moma
dance." I guess this would make sense.
Song Meanings
Andy's Phish Page