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.
It's a cold, cold moon out tonight
and it's a cold, cold point on your knife
could i call myself a man if i left by the morning light
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
when you woke up all alone
i'd be 40 miles from denver
and three days from my home
in that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
it's a lonely road to travel on
but i've stood waiting much too long
and i'd rather leave this minute than try to carry on
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
headed eastbound on the track
i'd 40 miles from denver
and trying to get back
to that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
it's a cold, cold moon out tonight
and it's a cold, cold point on your knife
could i call myself a man if i left by the morning light
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
when you woke up all alone
i'd be 40 miles from denver
and three days from my home
in that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
and it's a cold, cold point on your knife
could i call myself a man if i left by the morning light
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
when you woke up all alone
i'd be 40 miles from denver
and three days from my home
in that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
it's a lonely road to travel on
but i've stood waiting much too long
and i'd rather leave this minute than try to carry on
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
headed eastbound on the track
i'd 40 miles from denver
and trying to get back
to that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
it's a cold, cold moon out tonight
and it's a cold, cold point on your knife
could i call myself a man if i left by the morning light
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
when you woke up all alone
i'd be 40 miles from denver
and three days from my home
in that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
Lyrics submitted by EJB92
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Oh, I thought this song was saying life is better here (Denver), but reading the lyrics he's clearly saying life is better in the Appalachians. Boooooooooo.