In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
A song I dedicate unto those who share my need
To give their all, and should they fall strive on til they succeed.
Though my belly aches with hunger, weary limbs tremble and shiver
I'd rather go where waters flow, no well beside the river.
It's spur has driven some to Hell on an unbridled desire
No pain, no gain, the strongest chain's forged in the hottest fire
I pity you, who's eyes so blue have never known ambition
Yet can spit your judgment at me like some crazed, despotic queen
This dull existence merely half-life, (a glazed comatose condition)
Too scary to try, so born to die sat at your sewing machine
Discontentedly accepting all the world's prepared to give her
It's fate that she stagnates just like a well beside the river
Life's one almighty, ducking, school we've built with our own hands.
We can swim and burn or sink and drown
'cause either way we're damned.
I'm so proud to be the tupping fool, your foul, fantastic freak,
At least each moment I've spent on this earth was totally unique.
So little man with such big plans to stand upon the stage,
Why do you squabble in the dirt, you should be reaching for a star?
By far the greatest gift that I can give on making the front page,
It is: instead of punching faces why not practice your guitar.
More beauty has been composed than jealousy can tear and sliver.
Whilst troubled waters bubble, you're a well beside the river
Life's one almighty, ducking, school we've built with our own hands.
We can swim and burn or sink and drown
'cause either way we're damned.
I'm so proud to be the tupping fool, your foul, fantastic freak,
At least each moment I've spent on this earth was totally unique.
There's a dirty job I've done for all my life without
Time-off called being me.
Though the hours are long and my pay is poor, I can't resign it's
All I'm qualified to be!
Life's one almighty, ducking, school we've built with our own hands.
We can swim and burn or sink and drown
'cause either way we're damned.
I'm so proud to be the tupping fool, your foul, fantastic freak,
At least each moment I've spent on this earth was totally unique.
Though my belly aches with hunger, weary limbs tremble and shiver,
I'd rather go where waters flow, no well beside the river.
To give their all, and should they fall strive on til they succeed.
Though my belly aches with hunger, weary limbs tremble and shiver
I'd rather go where waters flow, no well beside the river.
It's spur has driven some to Hell on an unbridled desire
No pain, no gain, the strongest chain's forged in the hottest fire
I pity you, who's eyes so blue have never known ambition
Yet can spit your judgment at me like some crazed, despotic queen
This dull existence merely half-life, (a glazed comatose condition)
Too scary to try, so born to die sat at your sewing machine
Discontentedly accepting all the world's prepared to give her
It's fate that she stagnates just like a well beside the river
Life's one almighty, ducking, school we've built with our own hands.
We can swim and burn or sink and drown
'cause either way we're damned.
I'm so proud to be the tupping fool, your foul, fantastic freak,
At least each moment I've spent on this earth was totally unique.
So little man with such big plans to stand upon the stage,
Why do you squabble in the dirt, you should be reaching for a star?
By far the greatest gift that I can give on making the front page,
It is: instead of punching faces why not practice your guitar.
More beauty has been composed than jealousy can tear and sliver.
Whilst troubled waters bubble, you're a well beside the river
Life's one almighty, ducking, school we've built with our own hands.
We can swim and burn or sink and drown
'cause either way we're damned.
I'm so proud to be the tupping fool, your foul, fantastic freak,
At least each moment I've spent on this earth was totally unique.
There's a dirty job I've done for all my life without
Time-off called being me.
Though the hours are long and my pay is poor, I can't resign it's
All I'm qualified to be!
Life's one almighty, ducking, school we've built with our own hands.
We can swim and burn or sink and drown
'cause either way we're damned.
I'm so proud to be the tupping fool, your foul, fantastic freak,
At least each moment I've spent on this earth was totally unique.
Though my belly aches with hunger, weary limbs tremble and shiver,
I'd rather go where waters flow, no well beside the river.
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"A well besides the river" contains one of the best lyrics for a song I had read in my life (I have 40 years). I don't know what means "the tupping fool" because english is not my natural language. I think this song is giving us advices of what to do with ourselves as human beings.
Maybe it's a 'topping' fool, which would be similar to the expression 'icing on the cake'. Irony intended in that case, I presume.