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 king's taken back the throne
The useless seed was sown
When they say they're cutting off the phone
Then tell 'em you're not home
No place to hide
You'll find there's a soldier on their side
You're still a soldier in your mind
But nothing's on the line
You say it's money that we need
As if we're the only mouths to feed
I know that no matter what you say
There are some debts we never pay
Working for the church while your family dies
You take what they give you
And you keep it inside
Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan we'll got it at alone
I can taste the fear
Lift me up and take me out of here
Don't want to fight, don't want to die
Just want to hear you cry
Who's gonna throw the very first stone
Oh, who's gonna re set the bone
Walking with your hand in a sling
Wanna hear the soldier sing
Working for the church while my family dies
You're little baby sister's gonna lose her mind
Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan we'll got it at alone
I can taste your fear
It's gonna lift you up and take you out of here
If the bone shot never heals
I cannot make him yield
You can't find me now
But they're gonna get their money back somehow
And when you finally disappear
We'll just say you were never here
Been working for the church while your life falls apart
They're singing hallelujah when defeating your heart
Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan we'll got it at alone
Hear the soldier groan we'll got it at alone
The useless seed was sown
When they say they're cutting off the phone
Then tell 'em you're not home
No place to hide
You'll find there's a soldier on their side
You're still a soldier in your mind
But nothing's on the line
You say it's money that we need
As if we're the only mouths to feed
I know that no matter what you say
There are some debts we never pay
Working for the church while your family dies
You take what they give you
And you keep it inside
Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan we'll got it at alone
I can taste the fear
Lift me up and take me out of here
Don't want to fight, don't want to die
Just want to hear you cry
Who's gonna throw the very first stone
Oh, who's gonna re set the bone
Walking with your hand in a sling
Wanna hear the soldier sing
Working for the church while my family dies
You're little baby sister's gonna lose her mind
Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan we'll got it at alone
I can taste your fear
It's gonna lift you up and take you out of here
If the bone shot never heals
I cannot make him yield
You can't find me now
But they're gonna get their money back somehow
And when you finally disappear
We'll just say you were never here
Been working for the church while your life falls apart
They're singing hallelujah when defeating your heart
Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan we'll got it at alone
Hear the soldier groan we'll got it at alone
Lyrics submitted by fursoftasfur
Intervention Lyrics as written by Regine Chassagne Jeremy Gara
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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I love how the same song sounds completely different here. This seems more reflective, even the way he sings it, almost like an old man...
ok someone let me know...is it 'all quiet and alone' or 'i'll go at it alone' or something similar? i CANNOT tell!
"i'll go at it alone", i reckon.
these lyrics seem wrong to me.
but this song is absolutely amazing, chilling.
this is the ORIGINAL VERSION. from the kcrw radio recording. i personally love this way more than the NB one.
To me...this song has a biblical refrence to Moses. It also speaks of the plagues. anyone else get this?
At the concert, Win Butler said this song was about a former governer in the state where he and his brother are from.
Ha, is this the one where, at the end, some guy goes, "If that din't getcher somewhere special, I feel sorry for ya."
I think the album version is a far better developed version of this song, although the original recording sounds great in its raw state. I suppose they're really like two different songs.
This song gives me the chills. Seriously, I get goosebumps. In my mind, I see the story of a broken soldier who is trying to take care of a family, his soul, and fight a war at the same time. He is failing at all three, and is losing hope. That is sort of my take on it. So tell me what you think of the song because i love hearing different and deeper perspectives than mine.
@FauxFox19 amazing sound. Brings tears to my eyes
I like this version better than the album one.