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.
On a brig loaded with timber headed for the north Maine coast
They took on some rough seas.
The captain and his slave fought back the heavy waves
But they were threatening
To break her up so badly.
See two days before they left the outer banks,
And made good time up to Boston.
But just north of Essex the sky grew dark.
He missed his mark he was making and life can change so fast.
The captain had seen many a day
When the winds blew and the waters raged.
But it was just a part of the life he made for himself,
Running the coast of New England.
The ship heaved and cracked,
Threw the men on their backs as the water came rushing in
The captain fought hard yet.
He yelled against the splintering wreck,
I have done you wrong son.
And I should be forsaken for what I have done.
But Ben reached a timber to stay afloat.
He grabbed the captain's braided coat
He swam him to the nearest shore.
Dragged him up 'til he couldn't pull no more
And he left him breathin', left him breathin' dry.
The captain said in all my days I never seen anybody save
The very person who kept him enslaved.
God damn it Ben,
You should have your freedom for what you have done.
I should be forsaken for what I have done.
Somewhere off the Maine coast,
At the mouth of the New Meadows River there's a island
Where a marooned man lived out his life quietly under tied and sky.
Never forgetting when the sea rose up so high.
The captain said in all my days
I never seen anybody save
The very person who kept him enslaved.
God damn it Ben,
You should have your freedom for what you have done.
They took on some rough seas.
The captain and his slave fought back the heavy waves
But they were threatening
To break her up so badly.
See two days before they left the outer banks,
And made good time up to Boston.
But just north of Essex the sky grew dark.
He missed his mark he was making and life can change so fast.
The captain had seen many a day
When the winds blew and the waters raged.
But it was just a part of the life he made for himself,
Running the coast of New England.
The ship heaved and cracked,
Threw the men on their backs as the water came rushing in
The captain fought hard yet.
He yelled against the splintering wreck,
I have done you wrong son.
And I should be forsaken for what I have done.
But Ben reached a timber to stay afloat.
He grabbed the captain's braided coat
He swam him to the nearest shore.
Dragged him up 'til he couldn't pull no more
And he left him breathin', left him breathin' dry.
The captain said in all my days I never seen anybody save
The very person who kept him enslaved.
God damn it Ben,
You should have your freedom for what you have done.
I should be forsaken for what I have done.
Somewhere off the Maine coast,
At the mouth of the New Meadows River there's a island
Where a marooned man lived out his life quietly under tied and sky.
Never forgetting when the sea rose up so high.
The captain said in all my days
I never seen anybody save
The very person who kept him enslaved.
God damn it Ben,
You should have your freedom for what you have done.
Lyrics submitted by hiphopopotamus
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This song is think one of the more obivious. However it may have a more historical meeting. But its about an old sea captain who has a enslaved boy (BEN) who then saves his life when the ship is destroyed by the storm. The captain feels ashamed for keeping the boy a slave and frees him and all the while learning a lesson in the goodness of others.
maine.rr.com/04/portmag/malaga/default.asp
Thats basically the true historical story of Benjamin Darling. The verse about the island is basically where the article opens.
maine.rr.com/04/portmag/malaga/default.asp
Thats basically the true historical story of Benjamin Darling. The verse about the island is basically where the article opens.
I love this song, I did a speech on the true story of ben, and needed an extra reference, so I used this song. My teacher actually didn't mind it, thought it was interesting since the song is so clearly the story. If the song is titled Part 1, wonder if this isn't the last we'll see of Ben, eh?
Doubt it. Some bands slap that Part 1 on songs and never go back to them, but we had Sybil I and now we have Sybil II, so my guess is we'll see Ben in the next album.
"The captain said 'In all my days, I never seen anybody save the very person who kept him enslaved.'" This line is the meaning of morality. You don't do unto others others as they do unto you. You do what is best, and forget about revenge.