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.
Roosevelt we've been betrayed
Said someone over there
I think it was me
Here's a little place for you
And here's a little house where you can die
There's a lady in the corner
Who'd really love to sing for you
Feel free to sing along
Well I hear she sings a pretty song, I do
But Roosevelt I might be wrong
And every time he thinks of her
Something kind of wonderful comes right into mind
It ain't over till it's over
It ain't over till she sings her song
But Roosevelt I might be wrong
We can try and make sense out of you
Maybe in a minute or two
Cause my heart's getting tired and my toes getting cold
I hope we don't ever get old
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old
And the fat lady doesn't get old
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old
And the fat lady sings with the grace of an angel
As Roosevelt devises his plan
As her voice becomes music, the music the waltz
Which was over before it began
But it was already done
But it was already done
Singing Obi Wan we've been betrayed
Said someone over there I think it was you
Here's a little place for you
And here's a little house where you can die
Cause there's a lady in the corner
Who'd really love to sing for you
Feel free to sing along
Well I hear she sings a pretty song, I do
Roosevelt I might be wrong
And every time he thinks of her
Nothing short of wonderful comes right into mind
It ain't over till it's over
It ain't over till she sings her song
But Roosevelt I might be wrong
We can try and make sense out of you
Maybe in a minute or two
Cause my heart's getting tired and my toes getting cold
I hope we don't ever get old
(tell me the story....tell me, tell...)
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old (tell me the story)
And the fat lady doesn't get old (tell me the tale)
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old (tell me the story)
And the fat lady sings with the grace of an angel
Roosevelt devises his plan
As her voice becomes music, the music the waltz
Which was over before it began
Said someone over there
I think it was me
Here's a little place for you
And here's a little house where you can die
There's a lady in the corner
Who'd really love to sing for you
Feel free to sing along
Well I hear she sings a pretty song, I do
But Roosevelt I might be wrong
And every time he thinks of her
Something kind of wonderful comes right into mind
It ain't over till it's over
It ain't over till she sings her song
But Roosevelt I might be wrong
We can try and make sense out of you
Maybe in a minute or two
Cause my heart's getting tired and my toes getting cold
I hope we don't ever get old
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old
And the fat lady doesn't get old
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old
And the fat lady sings with the grace of an angel
As Roosevelt devises his plan
As her voice becomes music, the music the waltz
Which was over before it began
But it was already done
But it was already done
Singing Obi Wan we've been betrayed
Said someone over there I think it was you
Here's a little place for you
And here's a little house where you can die
Cause there's a lady in the corner
Who'd really love to sing for you
Feel free to sing along
Well I hear she sings a pretty song, I do
Roosevelt I might be wrong
And every time he thinks of her
Nothing short of wonderful comes right into mind
It ain't over till it's over
It ain't over till she sings her song
But Roosevelt I might be wrong
We can try and make sense out of you
Maybe in a minute or two
Cause my heart's getting tired and my toes getting cold
I hope we don't ever get old
(tell me the story....tell me, tell...)
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old (tell me the story)
And the fat lady doesn't get old (tell me the tale)
Ain't it funny how we're all getting old (tell me the story)
And the fat lady sings with the grace of an angel
Roosevelt devises his plan
As her voice becomes music, the music the waltz
Which was over before it began
Lyrics submitted by tophergannon
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I've always thought it's cool that they actually go into a waltz during the chorus.