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.
Today's the day our younger son
Is goin' off to war
Fightin' in the age old battle
We've sometimes won before
Flags that line old Main Street
Are blowin' in the wind
These must be the flags of freedom flyin'
Church bells are ringin'
As the families stand and wave
Some of them are cryin'
But the soldiers look so brave
Lookin' straight ahead
Like they know just where they're goin'
Past the flags of freedom flyin'
Sister has her headphones on
She hears the music blasting
She sees here brother marchin' by
Their bond is everlasting
Listening to Bob Dylan singin'
In 1963
Watchin' the flags of freedom flyin'
She sees the president speakin'
On a flat-screen TV
In the window of the old appliance store
She turns to see her brother again
But he's already walkin' past
The flags of freedom flyin'
Have you seen the flags of freedom?
What color are they now?
Do you think that you believe in yours
More than they do theirs somehow?
When you see the flags of freedom flyin'
Todays' the day our younger son
Is goin' off to war
Fighting in the age old battle
We've sometimes won before
Flags that line old Main Street
Are blowin' in the wind
These must be the flags of freedom flyin'
Is goin' off to war
Fightin' in the age old battle
We've sometimes won before
Flags that line old Main Street
Are blowin' in the wind
These must be the flags of freedom flyin'
Church bells are ringin'
As the families stand and wave
Some of them are cryin'
But the soldiers look so brave
Lookin' straight ahead
Like they know just where they're goin'
Past the flags of freedom flyin'
Sister has her headphones on
She hears the music blasting
She sees here brother marchin' by
Their bond is everlasting
Listening to Bob Dylan singin'
In 1963
Watchin' the flags of freedom flyin'
She sees the president speakin'
On a flat-screen TV
In the window of the old appliance store
She turns to see her brother again
But he's already walkin' past
The flags of freedom flyin'
Have you seen the flags of freedom?
What color are they now?
Do you think that you believe in yours
More than they do theirs somehow?
When you see the flags of freedom flyin'
Todays' the day our younger son
Is goin' off to war
Fighting in the age old battle
We've sometimes won before
Flags that line old Main Street
Are blowin' in the wind
These must be the flags of freedom flyin'
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one of neil's many great "anthems". rarely do i like a song the 1st time i hear it. but i loved this one immediately. peace on our earth.