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.
The story started and it ended so quick
Like Jack and Jill but with heroin
Disco lights and a glint in the eye of
Dancing girls at the Candybox Night
Queuing up for something under priced
Working weekends just to pay for drugs
This little story keeps repeating itself
Reading fashion mags to look at the girls
In the city, in the city tonight
You live by the sword but you die by the knife
The story started and it ended so quick
Like Jack and Jill but with heroin
Disco lights and a glint in the eye of
Dancing girls at the Candybox Night
I want it all; I want it all for me
These things in life they just don't come for free
Converse boots and a look on her face
That says if you've got the money then I'm yours tonight
In the city, in the city tonight
You live by the sword but you die by the knife
In the city, in the city tonight
In the city, in the city tonight
You live by the sword but you die by the knife
In the city, in the city I love
In the city, in the city I love
Like Jack and Jill but with heroin
Disco lights and a glint in the eye of
Dancing girls at the Candybox Night
Queuing up for something under priced
Working weekends just to pay for drugs
This little story keeps repeating itself
Reading fashion mags to look at the girls
In the city, in the city tonight
You live by the sword but you die by the knife
The story started and it ended so quick
Like Jack and Jill but with heroin
Disco lights and a glint in the eye of
Dancing girls at the Candybox Night
I want it all; I want it all for me
These things in life they just don't come for free
Converse boots and a look on her face
That says if you've got the money then I'm yours tonight
In the city, in the city tonight
You live by the sword but you die by the knife
In the city, in the city tonight
In the city, in the city tonight
You live by the sword but you die by the knife
In the city, in the city I love
In the city, in the city I love
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I think the "Live by the sword/die by the knife" part is fairly self explanatory. At least the knife part anyway, gang culture. At least thats what I think