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.
Well I sat down next to a photograph.
Tried my best almost made her laugh.
She was my toughest crowd.
There in the way was a mountain up in the clouds.
Well I can't sleep and I'm not in love.
I can't speak without messing up.
Eyes tell of what's behind.
And hers showed the way to a long and a lonely climb,
But through failure I'll proceed.
And she'll see how far I've come
And it's you and me in the sun and sea.
I'll offer my arm to yours.
It seems to me, no mystery.
Well it isn't.
So I'll try hard to speak.
Well I sat down next to a living hell.
Tried my best until I struck out.
Movement is not mine.
I stood in the way pretending that I was the vine,
But no failure will proceed from a mouth that drinks it's wine.
And it's not me not my sanctity.
These aren't my words to you.
It's all clear when it's not from here.
So clear so I'll try not to speak.
Tried my best almost made her laugh.
She was my toughest crowd.
There in the way was a mountain up in the clouds.
Well I can't sleep and I'm not in love.
I can't speak without messing up.
Eyes tell of what's behind.
And hers showed the way to a long and a lonely climb,
But through failure I'll proceed.
And she'll see how far I've come
And it's you and me in the sun and sea.
I'll offer my arm to yours.
It seems to me, no mystery.
Well it isn't.
So I'll try hard to speak.
Well I sat down next to a living hell.
Tried my best until I struck out.
Movement is not mine.
I stood in the way pretending that I was the vine,
But no failure will proceed from a mouth that drinks it's wine.
And it's not me not my sanctity.
These aren't my words to you.
It's all clear when it's not from here.
So clear so I'll try not to speak.
Lyrics submitted by InfamousKels
Speak Lyrics as written by Sean Watkins
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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She then chimes in on the song stating she doesn't see how love is as complicated as he's making it, stating it's just supposd to be her and the guy she's to be with, in the sunset, romanticizing it and oversimplifying, taking away her responsibility to respond back in talking to him when he approaches her. And reluctantly states at the end, she'll concede and try to speak up.
He then shows the rest of his efforts, sitting next to her to try to talk to her but was greeted with complete rejection as she did not respond to him much at all still, making him feel completely rejected. So he responds by wrapping himself around her for fear that he will lose her. The last line he gives is stating he won't accept failure (failure will not procede), but he'll continue to drink of it in other words keep feeling rejected.
She responds as you would expect stating this is not what she's looking for, but instead of telling him that, she just coldly continues to not speak to him and giving him the cold shoulder.
To me, it's high school relationships, guys feelings towards it versus girls.