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.
I see your face in the frame on my desk
It Meant a lot now it means a lot less
It's just a place for the dust in my room to rest
I see the letters that were written for me
They said you cared and I totally believed
They didn't mention that five months later you'd leave
[Chorus]
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
'Cause I don't understand
I see the bracelet you gave me back then
Made it for me so I'd never forget
It must have worked 'cause I haven't forgotten you yet
I see the bed where we used to mess around
We'd talk for hours before you'd go down
That was before you decided not to keep me around
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
'Cause I don't understand
You could have told me why you had to go
I try to tell myself just let it go
but I see your face
It's everywhere I go
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
'Cause I don't understand
No I don't understand
It Meant a lot now it means a lot less
It's just a place for the dust in my room to rest
I see the letters that were written for me
They said you cared and I totally believed
They didn't mention that five months later you'd leave
[Chorus]
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
'Cause I don't understand
I see the bracelet you gave me back then
Made it for me so I'd never forget
It must have worked 'cause I haven't forgotten you yet
I see the bed where we used to mess around
We'd talk for hours before you'd go down
That was before you decided not to keep me around
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
'Cause I don't understand
You could have told me why you had to go
I try to tell myself just let it go
but I see your face
It's everywhere I go
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
You could have told me anything
To make me understand
'Cause I don't understand
No I don't understand
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hmmph...
ah well