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.
I grew from Babylon soil, born to consume and destroy./
I know that cash is king, I breath cocaine, bleed oil./
Made to rise above all, success' my ultimate goal./
I'm a do what it takes, and bring you down if a fall./
Handle my business with war, attack the poor, while praising the lord./
Raised to be raw, but act polite - for the show./
Let the cameras roll, I got no doubts or regrets./
Live off thousands of deaths, keep no promises - only threats/
You politicians preaching your vision of the truth./
Never cared about us and our point of view/
cus your campaigns only promote the killing fields./
Children cry but you don't hear, people die but you can't see/
cus war is big biz the big guys get rich/
livin' off the poor and gain money on sick kids./
It's a show for those who can afford the price/
but turn that shit off I won't let you gamble with my life!
Chorus
We don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows./ We don't need your politicians to know which way to go./ We don't need your teachers, leave the kids alone,/ and we don't need the poisonous fruits of Babylon
Bridge
Babylon - always recruiting plotting./ Babylon - but yo, my crew been watching./ Babylon - and if your roots forgotten./ Babylon - then your fruits will rotten.
I drink away the pain, on top of the food chain./
The fast life, fast lane, view people as loose change./
Piss champagne, not really hungry - but I'm eating,/
Grow fat for no reason, and though it's hot, my hearts freezing/
Look into the mirror do you see what I see?/
I'm a reflection of your actions and will always be/
the result of your plans, the breed of your scams,/
and I'll forever be a prisoner of your land/
Hey, I'm the good guy, modern man, enlightened, I understand./
Y'all don't seem to get it, why should I care about a foreign land?/
You with me or against me, fight for the love of money./
Join me in this good life, sell your soul for blood money
Chorus
I don't vote, I cut a politician's throat./
Hang him with the same rope as I do the pope,/
cus I see the hope in the eyes of our children./
I won't go for your bribes of your millions,/
cus I see no future in the lies and the killings./
We all saw what happened to financial buildings./
It's all for a reason whether right or wrong,/
somebody felt their people had been dying to long./
Revenge, retaliation and stupid pride/
on both sides. So we keep losing lives - /
worldwide. I sing this one for our mothers,/
take a sec to recollect just how much they love us...
Chorus
Bridge
I know that cash is king, I breath cocaine, bleed oil./
Made to rise above all, success' my ultimate goal./
I'm a do what it takes, and bring you down if a fall./
Handle my business with war, attack the poor, while praising the lord./
Raised to be raw, but act polite - for the show./
Let the cameras roll, I got no doubts or regrets./
Live off thousands of deaths, keep no promises - only threats/
You politicians preaching your vision of the truth./
Never cared about us and our point of view/
cus your campaigns only promote the killing fields./
Children cry but you don't hear, people die but you can't see/
cus war is big biz the big guys get rich/
livin' off the poor and gain money on sick kids./
It's a show for those who can afford the price/
but turn that shit off I won't let you gamble with my life!
Chorus
We don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows./ We don't need your politicians to know which way to go./ We don't need your teachers, leave the kids alone,/ and we don't need the poisonous fruits of Babylon
Bridge
Babylon - always recruiting plotting./ Babylon - but yo, my crew been watching./ Babylon - and if your roots forgotten./ Babylon - then your fruits will rotten.
I drink away the pain, on top of the food chain./
The fast life, fast lane, view people as loose change./
Piss champagne, not really hungry - but I'm eating,/
Grow fat for no reason, and though it's hot, my hearts freezing/
Look into the mirror do you see what I see?/
I'm a reflection of your actions and will always be/
the result of your plans, the breed of your scams,/
and I'll forever be a prisoner of your land/
Hey, I'm the good guy, modern man, enlightened, I understand./
Y'all don't seem to get it, why should I care about a foreign land?/
You with me or against me, fight for the love of money./
Join me in this good life, sell your soul for blood money
Chorus
I don't vote, I cut a politician's throat./
Hang him with the same rope as I do the pope,/
cus I see the hope in the eyes of our children./
I won't go for your bribes of your millions,/
cus I see no future in the lies and the killings./
We all saw what happened to financial buildings./
It's all for a reason whether right or wrong,/
somebody felt their people had been dying to long./
Revenge, retaliation and stupid pride/
on both sides. So we keep losing lives - /
worldwide. I sing this one for our mothers,/
take a sec to recollect just how much they love us...
Chorus
Bridge
Lyrics submitted by heckiz
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.