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 do not believe that love is free
'Cause anything worth fighting for doesn't come for free
We believe in time that you will see
How a war might save us
How a war might save us
We believe in time that you will see
The institutions of the world
Will only serve to enslave us
It's time for you and I to face the signs
And realize that living's a battle
For all the times we cried and told the lies
And realized life's not a rehearsal
Come on babe, swing your heartache
Come on babe, swing your heartache
We have learned that hope does not come cheap
We all must sacrifice in the name of our beliefs
We believe in time that you will see
The frontier is misery
The frontier is misery
What do you think it is that makes us free?
A life without boundaries
If you question everything
It's time for you and I to face the signs
And realize that living's a battle
For all the times we cried and told the lies
And realized life's not a rehearsal
Come on babe, swing your heartache
Come on babe, swing your heartache
Here's something that you should know
Getting older doesn't always mean you grow
Turning from the shadows following behind you
To stare at the sun can easily blind you
The only way to learn, you're not afraid to die
Could very well involve risking your life
Despite the contradictions that these worlds imply
You've got to live on
Live on
Live on
Come on babe
Come on babe
Come on babe
Come on babe
'Cause anything worth fighting for doesn't come for free
We believe in time that you will see
How a war might save us
How a war might save us
We believe in time that you will see
The institutions of the world
Will only serve to enslave us
It's time for you and I to face the signs
And realize that living's a battle
For all the times we cried and told the lies
And realized life's not a rehearsal
Come on babe, swing your heartache
Come on babe, swing your heartache
We have learned that hope does not come cheap
We all must sacrifice in the name of our beliefs
We believe in time that you will see
The frontier is misery
The frontier is misery
What do you think it is that makes us free?
A life without boundaries
If you question everything
It's time for you and I to face the signs
And realize that living's a battle
For all the times we cried and told the lies
And realized life's not a rehearsal
Come on babe, swing your heartache
Come on babe, swing your heartache
Here's something that you should know
Getting older doesn't always mean you grow
Turning from the shadows following behind you
To stare at the sun can easily blind you
The only way to learn, you're not afraid to die
Could very well involve risking your life
Despite the contradictions that these worlds imply
You've got to live on
Live on
Live on
Come on babe
Come on babe
Come on babe
Come on babe
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definitely one of my favorite songs, it's really up there. definitely the only song that's been able to address many of my most-dearly held beliefs. it's critical, but hopeful at the same time which is amazing.
main message: the world is often really wrong and shitty, we have to fight a PEACEFUL battle with love and never give up caring, striving for the things we believe in, with a heavy-handed dose of love.
AMAZING. and i love that it's not religious at all, clearly they include the religious power-players of the world in with the negative "institutions." this is a song about spirituality within yourself and others, not within a book or an ideology.