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.
Hello? hello?
Calling a Karl Projektorinski
To the front of the cathedral
You have won, dear sir
May I congratulate you first?
Oh, what an honor
Human! human of the year! you won!
Human! human of the year! you won!
Why are you so scared?
You stand there shaking by your pew
The icons are whispering to you
They're just old men
Like on the benches in the park
Except their balding spots
Are glistening with gold
Human! human of the year! you won!
Human! human of the year! you won!
You have won!
hallelujah
hallelujah
hallelujah
hallelujah
Outside the cars are beeping
Out a song just in your honor
And though they do not know it
All mankind are now your brothers
And thus the cathedral had spoken
Wishing well to all us sinners
And with a psalm drew silent
Till next year's big human winner
Outside the cars are beeping
Out a song just in your honor
And thought they do not know it
All mankind are now your brothers
All mankind are now your brothers
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hello? hello?
Calling a Karl Projektorinski
To the front of the cathedral
You have won
Calling a Karl Projektorinski
To the front of the cathedral
You have won, dear sir
May I congratulate you first?
Oh, what an honor
Human! human of the year! you won!
Human! human of the year! you won!
Why are you so scared?
You stand there shaking by your pew
The icons are whispering to you
They're just old men
Like on the benches in the park
Except their balding spots
Are glistening with gold
Human! human of the year! you won!
Human! human of the year! you won!
You have won!
hallelujah
hallelujah
hallelujah
hallelujah
Outside the cars are beeping
Out a song just in your honor
And though they do not know it
All mankind are now your brothers
And thus the cathedral had spoken
Wishing well to all us sinners
And with a psalm drew silent
Till next year's big human winner
Outside the cars are beeping
Out a song just in your honor
And thought they do not know it
All mankind are now your brothers
All mankind are now your brothers
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hello? hello?
Calling a Karl Projektorinski
To the front of the cathedral
You have won
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This is such a gorgeous song. I absolutely fell in love with it when she got to "Outside the cars..." I think it's about this man finding religion. Everyday, people find themselves in a place of worship and feel so whole without recognition. I think what she's getting at is now that this man has realized his religion, he is connected to the world again. He is the winner of his own existence.
Simply beautiful.