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.
[Lee]
When the rats run riot,
and the screen door slams
When the trees grow quiet,
nothing but cats and cans
When the breeze says "try it",
but you can hardly see
When your love has died,
and you rat on me
I see your eyes in the half-light,
I see the number on your wall
Endless strange things I see at night,
you don't see anything at all
Shine a light into your soul
City streets so freezing cold
City shadows mark the route,
when they let the rats out
Rats, you call it love alright
That was the catch, a cold suicide
Let me place you in my past,
with other precious toys
But if you're ever feeling low, down,
in the fractured sunshine,
I'll help you feel the noise
Shine down,
You can go on home
Shine down
Go, go
Rats, you're working overtime
You are the moon beyond your mind
When the rats run riot,
and the screen door slams
When the world goes quiet,
you'll all know where I am
You could be my open road,
you could be the reason why
You could ease my heavy load
I'm gonna freeze you up now
You can let it shine,
keep that in mind
When they let 'em out next time
You can move a little closer,
until you're moving all up around my shoulder
City shadows mark the route
when they let the rats out
When the rats run riot,
and the screen door slams
When the trees grow quiet,
nothing but cats and cans
When the breeze says "try it",
but you can hardly see
When your love has died,
and you rat on me
I see your eyes in the half-light,
I see the number on your wall
Endless strange things I see at night,
you don't see anything at all
Shine a light into your soul
City streets so freezing cold
City shadows mark the route,
when they let the rats out
Rats, you call it love alright
That was the catch, a cold suicide
Let me place you in my past,
with other precious toys
But if you're ever feeling low, down,
in the fractured sunshine,
I'll help you feel the noise
Shine down,
You can go on home
Shine down
Go, go
Rats, you're working overtime
You are the moon beyond your mind
When the rats run riot,
and the screen door slams
When the world goes quiet,
you'll all know where I am
You could be my open road,
you could be the reason why
You could ease my heavy load
I'm gonna freeze you up now
You can let it shine,
keep that in mind
When they let 'em out next time
You can move a little closer,
until you're moving all up around my shoulder
City shadows mark the route
when they let the rats out
Lyrics submitted by rather_dirty_nation
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