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.
At city centre 9 pm
Just like you wrote
And I try to think about
Snow coming in
Just like before
I will be on stand-by
Releasing the vapour
Into the lung
Letting the wings unfurl
And for a moment I feel young
I call on the bird
Unfurl
It's time to chose side now
That's what you said
When we talked on the phone
So white our eyes
You are still
Are you paralyzed
Just like you wrote
And I try to think about
Snow coming in
Just like before
I will be on stand-by
Releasing the vapour
Into the lung
Letting the wings unfurl
And for a moment I feel young
I call on the bird
Unfurl
It's time to chose side now
That's what you said
When we talked on the phone
So white our eyes
You are still
Are you paralyzed
Lyrics submitted by Psychonaut
Unfurl Lyrics as written by Jonas Petter Renkse Anders Nystrom
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I have to agree with Ghost on this one, This song can have so many meanings but it definitely involves death. My Theory as said before would be of a drug overdose for suicidal matters. Its as if this person was suffering for so long that his/her final wish is just to die and the narrator is agreeing with the decision. The narrator perhaps has this person suicidal letter and wants to support this person in this decision -"I will be on stand by"-
The chorus of course is the moment of truth, death will come and there's a sense of relief.-"Releasing the vapor"- Hes been holding his breath for so long for this moment to come. He accepts it, he feels young and happy. Calling on the bird, (depending which bird, but Jonas himself also mentioned that bird represents death so probably a crow...) to come and reach out for his soul and let his "angel" wings unfurl. Just let go..
-Its time to choose side- The narrator either comes with or not, they've been planning for this moment but he's undecided.
This song is so metaphorical its hard to really put a true meaning to it...Just my opinion. As ghost said perhaps the last part would just the pure state of shock that this person is finally gone and just doesn't want to accept it.
Either way, We've analyzed this song for days to try and find the true meaning..I wonder if were close..
July86 AKA Stephanie_Anna
Right on the mark July86. As you already know Jonas has defined the bird to represent Death.<br /> <br /> For those of you who are interested, I wrote Jonas to clarify.<br /> Here is a copy of the message:<br /> <br /> I'll keep it short and sweet man. Unfurl - 'I Call on the Bird'----is that referring to making peace/calling a truce/accepting OR is it referring to a crow and all that it represents.<br /> <br /> At a local open mic 'In the White, Soil's Song and Unfurl' acoustic renditions are destroying all of the local pop-head shit that people are used to. The people at the bar are always SILENT when these song are played. <br /> <br /> Keep it up man. When the time is right, the new material will dominate too.<br /> <br /> J<br /> <br /> from Jonas Renkse jonas@katatonia.com<br /> to leviathans.smile@gmail.com<br /> date Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 7:00 PM<br /> subject Re: Anesthetize<br /> mailed-by katatonia.com<br /> <br /> Reply<br /> <br /> The bird as a symbol of death.<br /> <br /> I guess in a way it could be considered a truce.<br /> <br /> Good to hear about the local open mic sessions. Thanks,<br /> <br /> J.
Maybe the bird can mean both.<br /> I understand that Jonas has already established it as death, but it could also be a peace offering. Couldn't the peace offering be death?