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.
He used to be a singer in a rock and roll band
He would write the songs and I'd tremble at his hand but oh la la
He lost my word to get the girl
And his songs were pathetic
And hes a failure now
He used to be the life and soul of everyone around
You'd never catch him looking up I'd never see him down
But oh la la
He couldn't raise a smile
No not for a while
And he's a failure now.
Don't cry child
You've got so much more to live for
Don't cry child
You've got something I would die for
And if it comes to the rain
Just be glad you'll smile again
Because so many don't and so many go unnamed
People push right pass me shouting their disclaims
A preacher pushes me a side and asks to wash my sins I said no la la
If he made me in his image then he's a failure too.
I used to need a couple people keep my head down
Now I need a whole lot more to keep me on the ground.
But oh la la
I gave up something and I gave it up for nothing and I'm a failure now.
Don't cry child
You've got so much more to live for
Don't cry child
You've got something I would die for
And if it comes to the rain just be glad you'll smile again
Because so many don't and so many go un named
He would write the songs and I'd tremble at his hand but oh la la
He lost my word to get the girl
And his songs were pathetic
And hes a failure now
He used to be the life and soul of everyone around
You'd never catch him looking up I'd never see him down
But oh la la
He couldn't raise a smile
No not for a while
And he's a failure now.
Don't cry child
You've got so much more to live for
Don't cry child
You've got something I would die for
And if it comes to the rain
Just be glad you'll smile again
Because so many don't and so many go unnamed
People push right pass me shouting their disclaims
A preacher pushes me a side and asks to wash my sins I said no la la
If he made me in his image then he's a failure too.
I used to need a couple people keep my head down
Now I need a whole lot more to keep me on the ground.
But oh la la
I gave up something and I gave it up for nothing and I'm a failure now.
Don't cry child
You've got so much more to live for
Don't cry child
You've got something I would die for
And if it comes to the rain just be glad you'll smile again
Because so many don't and so many go un named
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