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.
With a sampled heartbeat and a stolen soul
I sold my songs to have my fortune told
And it said
You should know that love will never die
But see how it kills you in the blink of an eye
I know love is a hot white light
It knocks you down and then leaves you dry
Oh how can it be sweet mama tell me why
Why all loves disciples have to wither and die
Please sister, help me come on do what you should
Please give me something I'm not doing so good
I'm gone, done wrong is there nothing you can say
Please sister help me I'm not feeling ok
Give me believe that my time will come
And a toll free helpline if I find someone
But she said
You gave away what you never really had
And now your purse is empty I can see why you're sad
Please sister, help me come on do what you should
Please give me something I'm not doing so good
I'm gone, done wrong is there nothing you can say
Please sister help me
Can you make me feel ok
So if it's true, that love will never die
Then why do the lovers work so hard
To stay alive
Please sister, help me
Please give me something oh
Please sister, you know I do what I can
Oh sweet mama, please descent me a man
Cause I'm gone, gone
Is there nothing you can get
Please sister help me I just need some love
To live
Just a little love to live
I sold my songs to have my fortune told
And it said
You should know that love will never die
But see how it kills you in the blink of an eye
I know love is a hot white light
It knocks you down and then leaves you dry
Oh how can it be sweet mama tell me why
Why all loves disciples have to wither and die
Please sister, help me come on do what you should
Please give me something I'm not doing so good
I'm gone, done wrong is there nothing you can say
Please sister help me I'm not feeling ok
Give me believe that my time will come
And a toll free helpline if I find someone
But she said
You gave away what you never really had
And now your purse is empty I can see why you're sad
Please sister, help me come on do what you should
Please give me something I'm not doing so good
I'm gone, done wrong is there nothing you can say
Please sister help me
Can you make me feel ok
So if it's true, that love will never die
Then why do the lovers work so hard
To stay alive
Please sister, help me
Please give me something oh
Please sister, you know I do what I can
Oh sweet mama, please descent me a man
Cause I'm gone, gone
Is there nothing you can get
Please sister help me I just need some love
To live
Just a little love to live
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It's strange, she's singing about how love drains those who are in-love, but at the same time she is begging for love because she is dying without it.
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hotsoupwoman very nicely put. That's how i feel. I'm always drained emotionally and energy wise, when I'm in a relatonship. This is so hard on the soul and heart. And I feel I'm loosing myself in the relationship. But when I'm not in one, I am seeking to be in one. To feel the bittersweet pain there comes with love. This is beautifully captured in this song.