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.
Many years ago
He looked out through a glassless window
All that he could see was Babylon
Beautiful green fields and dreams
And learn to measure the stars
But there was a worry in his heart
He said
How could it come to this?
I'm really worried about living
How could it come to this?
Yeah, I really wanna know about this
Is it like today?
Uh, uh-uh
Then there came a day
Moved out 'cross the Mediterranean
Came to rest on isles and the Greek young men
And with their silver beards they laughed
At the unknown of the universe
They could just sit and guess God's name
But they said
How could it come to this?
We're really worried about living
How could it come to this?
Yeah, we really want to know about this
Is it like today?
Oh, oh-oh
Then there followed days of kings
Empires and revolution
Blood just looks the same
When you open the veins
But sometimes it was faith, power or reason as the cornerstone
But the furrowed brow has never left his face
He said
How could it come to this?
We're really living in a landslide
How could it come to this?
Yeah we really wanna know about this
Is it like today?
Oh, oh-oh
Then there came a day
Man packed up, flew off from the planet
He went to the moon (to the moon)
To the moon (to the moon)
Now he's out in space, hey, fixing all the problems
He comes face to face with God
He says
How could it come to this
I'm really worried 'bout my creation
How did it come to this
You're really killing me you know
It isn't just today
Oh, oh-oh
Is it like today?
Eh? Ah
Is it like today?
Oh, bang
Ooh
Many years ago
He looked out through a glassless window
Didn't understand much what he saw
He looked out through a glassless window
All that he could see was Babylon
Beautiful green fields and dreams
And learn to measure the stars
But there was a worry in his heart
He said
How could it come to this?
I'm really worried about living
How could it come to this?
Yeah, I really wanna know about this
Is it like today?
Uh, uh-uh
Then there came a day
Moved out 'cross the Mediterranean
Came to rest on isles and the Greek young men
And with their silver beards they laughed
At the unknown of the universe
They could just sit and guess God's name
But they said
How could it come to this?
We're really worried about living
How could it come to this?
Yeah, we really want to know about this
Is it like today?
Oh, oh-oh
Then there followed days of kings
Empires and revolution
Blood just looks the same
When you open the veins
But sometimes it was faith, power or reason as the cornerstone
But the furrowed brow has never left his face
He said
How could it come to this?
We're really living in a landslide
How could it come to this?
Yeah we really wanna know about this
Is it like today?
Oh, oh-oh
Then there came a day
Man packed up, flew off from the planet
He went to the moon (to the moon)
To the moon (to the moon)
Now he's out in space, hey, fixing all the problems
He comes face to face with God
He says
How could it come to this
I'm really worried 'bout my creation
How did it come to this
You're really killing me you know
It isn't just today
Oh, oh-oh
Is it like today?
Eh? Ah
Is it like today?
Oh, bang
Ooh
Many years ago
He looked out through a glassless window
Didn't understand much what he saw
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Great version of a great song,
Love this song. Usernick has it when he mentions "A History Of Western Philosophy" by Bertrand Russell. Great melody and great lyrics. Speaking of lyrics...
First chorus is messed up, it uses "I" instead of "we". It should be:
He said How could it come to this? I'm really worried about living How could it come to this? Yeah, I really wanna know about this
Second verse is missing:
Is it like today? Uh, uh-uh
Then there came a day, moved Out cross the Mediterranean Came to rest on isles and the Greek young men And with their silver beards they laughed At the unknown of the universe They could just sit and guess God's name