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.
[This is not an official translation but my own attempt at one. If anyone has suggestions for changes, I'd appreciate the input :)]
Fate has smiled upon me
And has made a present for me
Threw me onto a warm star
Close to the skin, far from the eye
I take my fate into my own hand
My desire is fulfilled*
Where the sweet water dies
Because it is spoiled in the salt
I keep the Little Prince in mind
A king without a queen
When a woman strays to me
Then all the world becomes confused
Man against man
My skin belongs to men
Man against man
Like attracts like
Man against man
I am the servant of two lords**
Man against man
Like attracts like
I am the corner of all rooms
I am the shadow of all trees
No link is missing in my chain***
When the desire**** pulls from behind
My gender curses me as a traitor
I am the nightmare of all fathers
Man against man
My skin belongs to men
Man against man
Like attracts like
Man against man
But my heart does freeze on certain days
Man against man
Cold tongues that strike
Homo
I am not interested in balance
The sun shines onto my face
But my heart does freeze on certain days
Cold tongues that strike
Homo
Man against man
-------------------------------------------------------------
* - I’m not sure whether my translation is correct, but the intended wordplay is obviously that the verb “bemannt” has the word “Mann” in it
** – The word “Herr” can, of course, be translated as (gentle-)man, but “lord” sounded better in the context of servants
*** – “Glied”, when referring to a chain, means “link”, but it can also mean “member” in connection to genitalia
**** – The German “Lust” is not as strong as the English “lust”; I would place it somewhere between “desire” and “lust” in English
Fate has smiled upon me
And has made a present for me
Threw me onto a warm star
Close to the skin, far from the eye
I take my fate into my own hand
My desire is fulfilled*
Where the sweet water dies
Because it is spoiled in the salt
I keep the Little Prince in mind
A king without a queen
When a woman strays to me
Then all the world becomes confused
Man against man
My skin belongs to men
Man against man
Like attracts like
Man against man
I am the servant of two lords**
Man against man
Like attracts like
I am the corner of all rooms
I am the shadow of all trees
No link is missing in my chain***
When the desire**** pulls from behind
My gender curses me as a traitor
I am the nightmare of all fathers
Man against man
My skin belongs to men
Man against man
Like attracts like
Man against man
But my heart does freeze on certain days
Man against man
Cold tongues that strike
Homo
I am not interested in balance
The sun shines onto my face
But my heart does freeze on certain days
Cold tongues that strike
Homo
Man against man
-------------------------------------------------------------
* - I’m not sure whether my translation is correct, but the intended wordplay is obviously that the verb “bemannt” has the word “Mann” in it
** – The word “Herr” can, of course, be translated as (gentle-)man, but “lord” sounded better in the context of servants
*** – “Glied”, when referring to a chain, means “link”, but it can also mean “member” in connection to genitalia
**** – The German “Lust” is not as strong as the English “lust”; I would place it somewhere between “desire” and “lust” in English
Lyrics submitted by paphan
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You have got to be fucking kidding me... I thought this song had a pretty kick ass beat and now that I see the lyrics I all of a sudden don't like this song anymore.
I think I've just found out what's slowing evolution down to a grinding halt. And it's not lyrics detailing homsexual acts.It's you, you fucking worthless flesh-limpet.