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.
There's a house across the river, but alas I cannot swim
And a garden of such beauty that the flowers seem to grin
There's a house across the river, but alas I cannot swim
I'll live my life regretting that I never jumped in
There's a boy across the river with short black curly hair
He wants to be my lover and I want to be his peer
There's a boy across the river, but alas I cannot swim
And I never will get to put my arms around him
There's a life across the river that was meant for me
Instead I live my life in constant misery
There's a life across the river but I do not see
Why I should please those who will never be pleased
There is gold across the river, but I don't want none
There is gold across the river, but I don't want none
Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle, gold is fun
Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle, gold is fun
There is gold across the river, but I don't want none
I would rather be dry then held up by a golden gun
Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun
Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun
Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun
And a garden of such beauty that the flowers seem to grin
There's a house across the river, but alas I cannot swim
I'll live my life regretting that I never jumped in
There's a boy across the river with short black curly hair
He wants to be my lover and I want to be his peer
There's a boy across the river, but alas I cannot swim
And I never will get to put my arms around him
There's a life across the river that was meant for me
Instead I live my life in constant misery
There's a life across the river but I do not see
Why I should please those who will never be pleased
There is gold across the river, but I don't want none
There is gold across the river, but I don't want none
Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle, gold is fun
Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle, gold is fun
There is gold across the river, but I don't want none
I would rather be dry then held up by a golden gun
Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun
Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun
Saying work more, earn more, live more, have more fun
Lyrics submitted by bluest_light
Alas I Cannot Swim Lyrics as written by Laura Marling
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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