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.
Roses on my window
I’ll give them back to you
Their wilted innuendos
Only remind me of you
And you’re so far away
So listen what I have to say
I think you’re afraid
Of love and every day
I’ve never met a man
Who deserves what I write on this page
Send me a prophet
Lord, not just another phase
Cuz I need to stop this
I’m a lovely Ladyland
Cuz the truth is I’m a man
Oh, I’m a mess
I’m a fool
I’m a little bit cruel
I’m a liar
And I’m a cheat
And a little bit weak
Well, I’m so distorted
About what I want to be
Can you dear boy
Show me the streets?
I’m thinking of buying a gun
Just so I have one
What kind of logic is that?
My breathe so long so fast
And what do you think about that?
I used to be so beautiful
Now I hustle and bustle for nothing, baby
I want to be a mother, not someone’s brother
I need to stop this
I’m a lovely Ladyland
Cuz the truth is I’m a man
Oh, I’m a mess
I’m a fool
I’m a little bit cruel
I’m a liar
And I’m a cheat
And a little bit weak
I’m a mess
I’m a fool
I’m a little bit cruel
I’m a liar
And I’m a cheat
And a little bit weak
I’m a mess
I’m a fool
I’m a little bit cruel
I’m a liar
And I’m a cheat
And a little bit weak
Do you understand?
I am not your man
Well, do you understand?
That I am not your man
I’ll give them back to you
Their wilted innuendos
Only remind me of you
And you’re so far away
So listen what I have to say
I think you’re afraid
Of love and every day
I’ve never met a man
Who deserves what I write on this page
Send me a prophet
Lord, not just another phase
Cuz I need to stop this
I’m a lovely Ladyland
Cuz the truth is I’m a man
Oh, I’m a mess
I’m a fool
I’m a little bit cruel
I’m a liar
And I’m a cheat
And a little bit weak
Well, I’m so distorted
About what I want to be
Can you dear boy
Show me the streets?
I’m thinking of buying a gun
Just so I have one
What kind of logic is that?
My breathe so long so fast
And what do you think about that?
I used to be so beautiful
Now I hustle and bustle for nothing, baby
I want to be a mother, not someone’s brother
I need to stop this
I’m a lovely Ladyland
Cuz the truth is I’m a man
Oh, I’m a mess
I’m a fool
I’m a little bit cruel
I’m a liar
And I’m a cheat
And a little bit weak
I’m a mess
I’m a fool
I’m a little bit cruel
I’m a liar
And I’m a cheat
And a little bit weak
I’m a mess
I’m a fool
I’m a little bit cruel
I’m a liar
And I’m a cheat
And a little bit weak
Do you understand?
I am not your man
Well, do you understand?
That I am not your man
Lyrics submitted by kiwikiwikiwikiwi
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The lyrics are a little off
"My breathe so long so fast" is actually "My breasts are lumps of fat"
Other than that I have no clue what this song is about but I like it.
I've always thought this song is about Gender Identity and the Transgender community. For the majority of the song, it sounds like inner turmoil, not fully embracing who you know that you are inside. "I'm a mess, I'm a fool... I'm a liar... I'm a cheat..." Sounds like self-doubt, pretending to be something you're not; and even acting as the gender you identify as, you feel as though you are deceiving others. And the heartbreak implied by those "wilted innuendos" and "you're so far away", etc, sound like someone who fell for her but couldn't handle the truth. When someone says they love you, but they don't love you for who you are inside; even someone who has completely undergone gender reassignment surgery, some can't handle the truth, even if they claim to love you. "I'm a lovely Ladyland" and "I want to be a Mother, not someone's Brother" imply this is a Transgender Woman. I think the line "Cuz the Truth is I'm a Man" is more of a spiteful comment, hanging up on the hindrance of who she was born as, which keeps her from finding love; and it spirals back to her anxiety. Then at the conclusion of the song, "I am not your man", sung with more conviction, sounds like she has fully embraced her womanhood and is through considering herself anything but.
I also agree with the previous commenter. "My breath so long so fast" is "My breasts are lumps of fat".