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 Friday night in April 1975.]
[Backstage at an after-hours club in Saigon.]
[Vietnamese bar-girls are getting into costumes.]
[GIRLS]
One of us will be Miss Saigon
[ENGINEER]
I spread the word - it's Miss Saigon
[GIGI]
Who's left to screw who hasn't gone
[ENGINEER]
Shut up! and get your hot pants on
[GIGI]
Each day more GI's disappear
[ENGINEER]
There's still some left and they'll all be here
[ALL GIRLS]
A girl can trust an engineer
[THE ENGINEER brings in a new girl, KIM]
[ENGINEER]
Surprise!
I found this new girl, get her dressed
From the country untouched
[GIGI]
Just give that virgin act a rest
[ALL GIRLS]
"You are my first American"
[they laugh]
[ENGINEER]
Allez! allez! allez!
Why does it take all day?
Get your asses on stage... I'm raising cash tonight
[GIRLS]
Tonight I will be Miss Saigon
[ENGINEER]
They say Saigon has weeks
I say it's time to pack
[GIRLS]
Tonight I will be Miss Saigon
[ENGINEER]
Each day these little buns of theirs are worth less and less
I need a visa fast, and I'm not looking back
[the ENGINEER looks through the door into the club.]
[ENGINEER]
Son of a bitch, they're here!
I can still engineer
It's like the old days, my little gamines
[GIRLS]
Oh sure!
[ENGINEER]
You know who's out here? a gang of marines!
[GIRLS]
They're here?
[ENGINEER]
We'll pick 'em clean that's what this contest's about
[GIRLS]
Yes, sir!
[ENGINEER]
One of these boys might be your ticket out
[turns to KIM]
Why is she in that dress?
Ah! it's my new princess
Ah, yes!
A bride will give the guys a treat
Lower your eyelids and play sweet
Men pay the moon to get fresh meat
Allez! allez! allez!
Get out and do your song!
Don't make the show too long
Voila'! on stage all! welcome to...
Dreamland!!!
[Backstage at an after-hours club in Saigon.]
[Vietnamese bar-girls are getting into costumes.]
[GIRLS]
One of us will be Miss Saigon
[ENGINEER]
I spread the word - it's Miss Saigon
[GIGI]
Who's left to screw who hasn't gone
[ENGINEER]
Shut up! and get your hot pants on
[GIGI]
Each day more GI's disappear
[ENGINEER]
There's still some left and they'll all be here
[ALL GIRLS]
A girl can trust an engineer
[THE ENGINEER brings in a new girl, KIM]
[ENGINEER]
Surprise!
I found this new girl, get her dressed
From the country untouched
[GIGI]
Just give that virgin act a rest
[ALL GIRLS]
"You are my first American"
[they laugh]
[ENGINEER]
Allez! allez! allez!
Why does it take all day?
Get your asses on stage... I'm raising cash tonight
[GIRLS]
Tonight I will be Miss Saigon
[ENGINEER]
They say Saigon has weeks
I say it's time to pack
[GIRLS]
Tonight I will be Miss Saigon
[ENGINEER]
Each day these little buns of theirs are worth less and less
I need a visa fast, and I'm not looking back
[the ENGINEER looks through the door into the club.]
[ENGINEER]
Son of a bitch, they're here!
I can still engineer
It's like the old days, my little gamines
[GIRLS]
Oh sure!
[ENGINEER]
You know who's out here? a gang of marines!
[GIRLS]
They're here?
[ENGINEER]
We'll pick 'em clean that's what this contest's about
[GIRLS]
Yes, sir!
[ENGINEER]
One of these boys might be your ticket out
[turns to KIM]
Why is she in that dress?
Ah! it's my new princess
Ah, yes!
A bride will give the guys a treat
Lower your eyelids and play sweet
Men pay the moon to get fresh meat
Allez! allez! allez!
Get out and do your song!
Don't make the show too long
Voila'! on stage all! welcome to...
Dreamland!!!
Lyrics submitted by fallacies
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