The lyrics of "Esther" by Phish tell the tale of a young girl named Esther who encounters a mysterious Armenian man at a fairground. He gives her a puppet, which leads to chaos when she brings it to a church. Esther tries to escape and ends up floating in the sky with the puppet before ultimately being pulled underwater by it, succumbing to a tranquil sleep.

Meaning of "Esther" by Phish

"Esther" can be interpreted as a surreal metaphor for innocence, temptation, and the loss of it. Esther represents purity and naivety, while the Armenian man could symbolize the allure of corruption or the darker aspects of life. The puppet can be seen as a symbol of the burden of guilt or sin, which Esther tries to escape from but ultimately cannot. The chaotic events that unfold after she brings the puppet to the church could be a representation of the inner turmoil that comes with growing up and facing the realities of the world. The ending, where Esther is pulled underwater by the puppet, may signify the inevitability of succumbing to one's mistakes or the consequences of giving in to temptation.