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.
Your mother came up to me,
She wanted answers only she should know,
Only she should know.
It wasn't easy to deal with the tears that rolled down her face.
I had no answers 'cause I didn't even know you.
But these words
They can't replace,
The life you,
The life you waste.
How could you paint this picture?
Was life as bad as it should seem, that there were no more options for you?
I can't explain how I feel.
I've been there many times before.
I've tasted the cold steel of my life crashing down before me.
But these words
They can't replace,
The life you,
The life you waste.
Did daddy not love you?
Or did he love you just too much?
Did he control you?
Did he live through you at your cost?
Did he leave no questions for you to answer on your own?
Well fuck them,
And fuck her,
And fuck him,
And fuck you,
For not having the strength in your heart to pull through.
I've had doubts,
I have failed,
I've fucked up,
I've had plans,
Doesn't mean I should take my life with my own hands.
But these words
They can't replace,
The life you,
The life you waste
But these words
They don't replace,
The life you,
The life you waste.
She wanted answers only she should know,
Only she should know.
It wasn't easy to deal with the tears that rolled down her face.
I had no answers 'cause I didn't even know you.
But these words
They can't replace,
The life you,
The life you waste.
How could you paint this picture?
Was life as bad as it should seem, that there were no more options for you?
I can't explain how I feel.
I've been there many times before.
I've tasted the cold steel of my life crashing down before me.
But these words
They can't replace,
The life you,
The life you waste.
Did daddy not love you?
Or did he love you just too much?
Did he control you?
Did he live through you at your cost?
Did he leave no questions for you to answer on your own?
Well fuck them,
And fuck her,
And fuck him,
And fuck you,
For not having the strength in your heart to pull through.
I've had doubts,
I have failed,
I've fucked up,
I've had plans,
Doesn't mean I should take my life with my own hands.
But these words
They can't replace,
The life you,
The life you waste
But these words
They don't replace,
The life you,
The life you waste.
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This song is scary to me, because once a friend's mom poured her heart out to another friend, like the mother to Aaron lewis.