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.
She visits the place that the tour groups must have
She's shocked to find somebody there
With a sun-beaten face, and a silver-grey head
He knelt on the floor unaware
He said "I'm sorry madam" as he lent her his hand
"I know I must be a strange sight
But I've been coming here for some thirty odd years
Ever since my sweet lady died
But I sure am glad you listened
Oh, I sure am glad you came
I've been waiting here in this mission
Ever since that day"
Oh, that summer we met, only fools could forget
Just how perfect a woman could be
By the time she was late, we had both set a date
In a place where she would marry me
But a gringo meant shame to their proud family name
And her father forbade it to be
So in less than a week, they found her by the creek
And the parents blamed it all on me
But I sure am glad you listened
And I sure am glad you came
I've been waiting here in this mission
Ever since that day
Well, her name was Marie
And the day she met me
Was the worst day of both of our lives
If it wasn't for me, I would truly believe
My sweetheart could still be alive
She said "Darling, believe. Don't you recognize me?
Though you waited here all of this time
They had shipped me away to my family in Spain
We can get on with our lives
Yeah, we still have plenty of time
'Cause I sure am glad I listened
Oh, I sure am glad I came
I made looking for you my mission
Ever since that day
Oh, I sure am glad you listened
Oh, I sure am glad you came
I've been waiting here in this mission
Ever since that day
And I sure am glad you listened
Oh, I sure am glad you came
I've been waiting here in this mission
Ever since that day
"May God bless you, have a good day"
She's shocked to find somebody there
With a sun-beaten face, and a silver-grey head
He knelt on the floor unaware
He said "I'm sorry madam" as he lent her his hand
"I know I must be a strange sight
But I've been coming here for some thirty odd years
Ever since my sweet lady died
But I sure am glad you listened
Oh, I sure am glad you came
I've been waiting here in this mission
Ever since that day"
Oh, that summer we met, only fools could forget
Just how perfect a woman could be
By the time she was late, we had both set a date
In a place where she would marry me
But a gringo meant shame to their proud family name
And her father forbade it to be
So in less than a week, they found her by the creek
And the parents blamed it all on me
But I sure am glad you listened
And I sure am glad you came
I've been waiting here in this mission
Ever since that day
Well, her name was Marie
And the day she met me
Was the worst day of both of our lives
If it wasn't for me, I would truly believe
My sweetheart could still be alive
She said "Darling, believe. Don't you recognize me?
Though you waited here all of this time
They had shipped me away to my family in Spain
We can get on with our lives
Yeah, we still have plenty of time
'Cause I sure am glad I listened
Oh, I sure am glad I came
I made looking for you my mission
Ever since that day
Oh, I sure am glad you listened
Oh, I sure am glad you came
I've been waiting here in this mission
Ever since that day
And I sure am glad you listened
Oh, I sure am glad you came
I've been waiting here in this mission
Ever since that day
"May God bless you, have a good day"
Lyrics submitted by foolish-hippie
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also it's not the live version on that site, thats the album version