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.
Quietly the rain played down on last of the ashes
Quietly the light played down on her lashes
She smiled 'n twisted, she smiled 'n twisted
Hideously looking back at what once was beautiful
Playing naturally magically
Oh, her ragged hair was shinin' red white and blue
All-and-all the children screamin'
Why, surely madam you must be dreamin'
You couldn't have done this if you knew what you were doin'
Well, the goldfish in the bowl lay upside-down bloatin'
Full in the sky in the plains were bleached with white skeletons
Various species grouped together according to their past beliefs
The only way they ever all got together
Was not in love but shameful grief
It's not the way I'd like it to get together
That's not the kind of thoughts I'd like to keep
The rain played lightly down down on the formaheap
Oh, lady look up in time, oh, lady look out of love
And you should have us all
Oh, you should have us fall
Quietly the light played down on her lashes
She smiled 'n twisted, she smiled 'n twisted
Hideously looking back at what once was beautiful
Playing naturally magically
Oh, her ragged hair was shinin' red white and blue
All-and-all the children screamin'
Why, surely madam you must be dreamin'
You couldn't have done this if you knew what you were doin'
Well, the goldfish in the bowl lay upside-down bloatin'
Full in the sky in the plains were bleached with white skeletons
Various species grouped together according to their past beliefs
The only way they ever all got together
Was not in love but shameful grief
It's not the way I'd like it to get together
That's not the kind of thoughts I'd like to keep
The rain played lightly down down on the formaheap
Oh, lady look up in time, oh, lady look out of love
And you should have us all
Oh, you should have us fall
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At first listening, I tought it was about a young girl who feels really bad after her abortion. She probably feels bad for many reasons. People are telling her: " Why surely madam you must be dreamin' You couldn't have done this if you knew what you were doin' ". Bill is probably the baby's name, but it could also be a metaphore for the total absence of the father in the song and in the story, and his lack of actions, help and support might make him look like a dead person, a corpse.
But then I thought: this could be the statue of Liberty. The ashes and lashes could be refering to her flame. The "red, white and blue hair" could be refering to the flag of the USA. When she was constructed, the United States was the place where all dreams came true, but now: " Hideously looking back at what once was beautiful ". It could be about the actual death of the women represented in the statue of Liberty. This could be a way to imply freedom died, and now that it's hopeless, people get together in grief. The various species could be about the many races in america, or the many political views uniting once freedom is lost. And the lyrics: " Why surely madam you must be dreamin' You couldn't have done this if you knew what you were doin' " could mean that freedom itself killed freedom through chaos.
@Ex Abrupto Kubalaht's analysis is pretty much right (based on Don's own statements). But according to John French the song started life as merely a taunt for Bill Harkleroad, written after one of those infamous "band talks", comparing him to a recently deceased goldfish. Obviously the lyric evolved a bit later.