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.
Oh, we are what we are when in danger
And we are as we stand head in hands
When a friend brings to light on a cold silver knife
You can stare your fate right into his hands
To his hands
Oh, we are what we are when we'll name to
Be the soul-owning guardians of land
And there's always advice on a cold winter's night
Like your dreams are just an island in the sand
Way out in the sand
Don't it seems so strange
How it just don't change
Things just stay the same as they've always been
Some of us are out to win
And some of us are out just to aim
Just out to aim
Oh we are what we are when we're praying
In our way of seeking some light
May the mission bells still ring of the colorful dream
In the faith that everyone will be treated right
Will be treated right on a cold, cold night.
Will be treated right in a hopeless fight
Will be treated right, will be treated right
on a cold, cold, cold night
Will be treated right
And we are as we stand head in hands
When a friend brings to light on a cold silver knife
You can stare your fate right into his hands
To his hands
Oh, we are what we are when we'll name to
Be the soul-owning guardians of land
And there's always advice on a cold winter's night
Like your dreams are just an island in the sand
Way out in the sand
Don't it seems so strange
How it just don't change
Things just stay the same as they've always been
Some of us are out to win
And some of us are out just to aim
Just out to aim
Oh we are what we are when we're praying
In our way of seeking some light
May the mission bells still ring of the colorful dream
In the faith that everyone will be treated right
Will be treated right on a cold, cold night.
Will be treated right in a hopeless fight
Will be treated right, will be treated right
on a cold, cold, cold night
Will be treated right
Lyrics submitted by Driftwood Girl
To Be Treated Right Lyrics as written by Terry Reid
Lyrics © NW ROYALTY CONSULTING, LLC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great version of a great song,
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Not sure if all the lyrics are 100% correct,but to me this song has themes of betrayal, disillusionment, and how life seems both philosophical and meaningless at the same time,(hence why it was used in The Devil's Rejects):
"We are what we are when in danger,and we are as we stand head in hands" - to me these lyrics need little interpretation.We are stripped of all basic defenses when alone,scared and vulnerable,and reduced to our most primitive of instincts...and at our most weak with head in hands we have little,if any,defenses and are at our most desperate as well as our most resourceful.
"When a friend brings to light(life?)on a cold silver knife" - really powerful lyrics.Too often it is the one we thought was our most loyal friend who turns out to be the real enemy,or at least the false friend,which is much worse that a known enemy.Being betrayed by someone you believe is a friend and ally is far worse than any harm from an enemy.
"You can stare your fate right into his hands" - the shock and hurt of betrayal and dishonor.Staring at fate in the hands of someone you wrongly believed to be your friend,lover,ally,confidante,etc.
"Don't it seem so strange,how it just don't change" - speaks for itself.Either extreme you are pushed to by fate and circumstances,it's all the same,and you are damned if you do and damned if you don't.
"In the faith that everyone will be treated right" - could be interpreted as either hope that fairness will win out or acceptance that fate has its own way and we can only dream of better things.