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.
We are swimming with the snakes
At the bottom of the well
So silent and peaceful in the darkness where we fell
But we are not snakes and what's more
We never will be
And if we stay swimming here forever we will
Never be free
I heard them ringing the bells
In heaven and hell
They got a secret
They're getting ready to tell
It's falling from the sky
Calling from the graves
Open your eyes, boy, I think we are saved
Open your eyes, boy, I think we are saved
Let's take a walk on the bridge
Right over this mess
Don't need to tell me a thing, baby
We've already confessed
And I raised my voice to the air
And we were blessed
Everybody needs a little forgiveness [Repeat: x1]
We are calling for him tonight on this
Thin phone line
As usual we're having ourselves one
hell of a time
And the planes keep flying right over our heads
No matter how loud we shout
"Hey, hey, hey !"
And we keep waving and waving
Our arms in the air
But we're all tired out
I heard somebody say
Today's the day
A big old hurricane
Is blowing our way
Knocking over the buildings
Killing all the light
Open your eyes, boy, we made it through the night
Open your eyes, boy, we made it through the night
Let's take a walk on the bridge
Right over this mess
Don't need to tell me a thing, baby
We've already confessed
And I raised my voice to the air
And we were blessed
It's hard to give
It's hard to get
It's hard to live still I think it's the best bet
It's hard to give and I'm never gonna forget
But everybody needs a little forgiveness
Everybody needs a little forgiveness
At the bottom of the well
So silent and peaceful in the darkness where we fell
But we are not snakes and what's more
We never will be
And if we stay swimming here forever we will
Never be free
I heard them ringing the bells
In heaven and hell
They got a secret
They're getting ready to tell
It's falling from the sky
Calling from the graves
Open your eyes, boy, I think we are saved
Open your eyes, boy, I think we are saved
Let's take a walk on the bridge
Right over this mess
Don't need to tell me a thing, baby
We've already confessed
And I raised my voice to the air
And we were blessed
Everybody needs a little forgiveness [Repeat: x1]
We are calling for him tonight on this
Thin phone line
As usual we're having ourselves one
hell of a time
And the planes keep flying right over our heads
No matter how loud we shout
"Hey, hey, hey !"
And we keep waving and waving
Our arms in the air
But we're all tired out
I heard somebody say
Today's the day
A big old hurricane
Is blowing our way
Knocking over the buildings
Killing all the light
Open your eyes, boy, we made it through the night
Open your eyes, boy, we made it through the night
Let's take a walk on the bridge
Right over this mess
Don't need to tell me a thing, baby
We've already confessed
And I raised my voice to the air
And we were blessed
It's hard to give
It's hard to get
It's hard to live still I think it's the best bet
It's hard to give and I'm never gonna forget
But everybody needs a little forgiveness
Everybody needs a little forgiveness
Lyrics submitted by lemonjelly
Forgiveness Lyrics as written by Kate Curtis
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i think this song is about a couple who have had a huge row. i can imagine lots of drink and them shouting and screaming at each other confessing to affairs they have had and basically just having a horrendous heated screming match. but then they wake in the morning. its a new day and they are still there, together. they still love each other and dont want to part. they have decided to forgive and give their relationship another try. so sad. i love this song.
I think that's a great interpretation lauriann23. Except I wouldn't assume what they were fighting about.
This song is about truth. "If you are going to be honest with people, be sure you can make them laught. They will most certainly kill you. Oscar Wilde."
Why does this site keep messing up the songwriting credits? This isn't the first wrong one I've seen. This amazing song was written by none other than Patty Griffin, not "Kate Curtis." There is another song called "Forgiveness" by Catie Curtis, but it's a lightweight song by a lightweight artist. Nothing compares with this. Let's straighten that out, ok?
:)
I think they mean that Kate Curtis transcribed the lyrics, and got overzealous with their choice of words. Unfortunate.<br /> Also unfortunate, I think is your assessment of Catie Curtis. She has written some beautiful songs. Her "Forgiveness" isn't her best, but I don't believe that there's any artist that you could compare to Patty Griffin's genius.