“Rule #4: Fish in a Birdcage” is a poignant song by the band Fish in a Birdcage, released on November 2, 2014, as part of their self-titled EP.
The song explores themes of confinement, alienation, and the longing for freedom, using the metaphor of a fish trapped in a birdcage to symbolize feelings of helplessness, particularly in the context of disabilities, whether mental or physical.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Rule #4: Fish in a Birdcage” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I’m a fish inside a birdcage
My brother always sings me songs
With his beak, he tries to soothe me
He makes me feel that I belong
He has a wild imagination
And tells me things that must be true
Like there’s a world where I can take flight
Where I can freely move
In the opening verse, the metaphor of being “a fish inside a birdcage” suggests a feeling of entrapment and helplessness. The fish, typically a creature of water, is placed in an environment that is unnatural and restrictive.
The brother’s songs symbolize comfort and support, as he attempts to soothe the fish with his imagination, offering visions of a world where it can “take flight” and “freely move.”
This establishes a dynamic of hope and the desire for liberation from limitations.
[Chorus]
So carry me from these walls
Brother of mine
Show me the world outside
It has to be true
I’m counting on you
To be my wings and my eyes
The chorus emphasizes the plea for escape and exploration. The repetition of “carry me from these walls” indicates a yearning to break free from confinement.
The brother is seen as a source of strength and guidance, with the fish relying on him to be “my wings and my eyes,” suggesting that the brother’s support is crucial for the fish to envision a life beyond its cage.
[Verse 2]
As I breathe into our silеnce
There’s a voicе that comforts me
It’s a voice of understanding
It’s the voice of empathy
Wings of feathers, tails, and fin tips
We feel each rock so differently
You gave me more than I could ask for
Indistinguishability
The second verse introduces a deeper emotional connection through the concept of silence and understanding. The “voice of empathy” signifies a profound bond between the siblings, highlighting the importance of emotional support in times of struggle.
The imagery of “wings of feathers, tails, and fin tips” illustrates the diversity of experiences and perspectives, suggesting that each creature feels the weight of confinement differently.
The line “You gave me more than I could ask for” reflects gratitude for the brother’s unwavering support.
[Outro]
So carry me from these walls
Brother of mine
Show me the world outside
It has to be true
I’m counting on you
To be my wings and my eyes
The outro reiterates the central themes of longing and reliance on the brother for liberation. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the urgency of the desire to escape and the hope that the world outside the cage is real and attainable.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Rule #4: Fish in a Birdcage”
“Rule #4: Fish in a Birdcage” is a song that metaphorically explores themes of entrapment and the longing for freedom.
The central metaphor in the song is of a fish trapped inside a birdcage. This represents feeling confined, restricted, and out of place, like a fish that doesn’t belong in a cage meant for birds.
The fish longs to escape its cage and experience the world outside, which it can only imagine through the stories told by its brother.
In an interview, Townsend explained that the fish represents an able-bodied creature with the potential to “fly,” but is hindered by its surroundings. This reflects his own experiences as an artist feeling confined and unable to reach his full potential due to external constraints.
The song conveys a deep emotional connection between siblings, where one sibling (the brother) serves as a source of comfort and hope, encouraging the other to envision a world beyond their current limitations.
Overall, this track reflects the struggle for identity and belonging, as well as the need for understanding and companionship in facing life’s challenges.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.