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.
The scent of flowers in the crowded street
A lonely bell singing for passing feet
“You may not come in here
(You may not come in here)
Sweaty time, dirty time to stand
Watch out mouth, hard argument
You may not come in here
(You may not come in here)”
Hey, fold your flag out a steer(?) (fold your flag)
Hoist it up high to make it real (hoist it high)
A canvas bag to fit it all (a canvas bag)
Hands suspended all, needs to bend and crawl
Well, whose land are you standing on?
Lines, lines, lines
Poor man’s ice cream
Poor man’s ice cream
And this is so, so, so real
You can see that, shining in the gutter
It’s right over there
(no, it’s not over here)
Then which way are you supposed to fear?
A full set of broken teeth to bear
It’s right over there
(no, it’s not over here)
They built a wall out of bricks (built a wall)
Made it real long, made sure everyone could see it (made it real long)
A message write and this (a message write)
“This is not your home
You do not belong here”
Well, whose land are you standing on?
They’re na-na-na-na-knocking on your door
Well, whose land are you standing on?
They’re na-na-na-na-knocking on your store
What were you dreaming of?
Yeah, what were you dreaming of?
Poor man’s ice cream
Poor man’s ice cream
What do you want from us?
Yeah, what do you want from us?
Poor man’s ice cream
Poor man’s ice cream
What were you dreaming of?
Yeah, what were you dreaming of?
Poor man’s ice cream
Poor man’s ice cream
A lonely bell singing for passing feet
“You may not come in here
(You may not come in here)
Sweaty time, dirty time to stand
Watch out mouth, hard argument
You may not come in here
(You may not come in here)”
Hey, fold your flag out a steer(?) (fold your flag)
Hoist it up high to make it real (hoist it high)
A canvas bag to fit it all (a canvas bag)
Hands suspended all, needs to bend and crawl
Well, whose land are you standing on?
Lines, lines, lines
Poor man’s ice cream
Poor man’s ice cream
And this is so, so, so real
You can see that, shining in the gutter
It’s right over there
(no, it’s not over here)
Then which way are you supposed to fear?
A full set of broken teeth to bear
It’s right over there
(no, it’s not over here)
They built a wall out of bricks (built a wall)
Made it real long, made sure everyone could see it (made it real long)
A message write and this (a message write)
“This is not your home
You do not belong here”
Well, whose land are you standing on?
They’re na-na-na-na-knocking on your door
Well, whose land are you standing on?
They’re na-na-na-na-knocking on your store
What were you dreaming of?
Yeah, what were you dreaming of?
Poor man’s ice cream
Poor man’s ice cream
What do you want from us?
Yeah, what do you want from us?
Poor man’s ice cream
Poor man’s ice cream
What were you dreaming of?
Yeah, what were you dreaming of?
Poor man’s ice cream
Poor man’s ice cream
Lyrics submitted by LouiseB
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Great version of a great song,
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