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.
Do you believe? do you fade like a dream?
Let me hear you breathe
Let me watch as you sleep
The sparrow's eyes, promises shift into judgments
I cannot deny that you were designed for my punishments
The blood and the body control the cut so it's seamless
Show me your heart show me the way to complete this
Tethered to a scene I treasure can you help me?
I sever god it's perfect, it's never really perfect
Now, I can finally be myself
'Cause I don't want to be myself
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
I cannot maintain a semblance of normal anymore
I'd rather feel pain than try to fit in with you anymore
I'll throw it all away, like everybody else
I can finally be myself
'Cause I don't want to be myself
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Let me hear you breathe
Let me watch as you sleep
The sparrow's eyes, promises shift into judgments
I cannot deny that you were designed for my punishments
The blood and the body control the cut so it's seamless
Show me your heart show me the way to complete this
Tethered to a scene I treasure can you help me?
I sever god it's perfect, it's never really perfect
Now, I can finally be myself
'Cause I don't want to be myself
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
I cannot maintain a semblance of normal anymore
I'd rather feel pain than try to fit in with you anymore
I'll throw it all away, like everybody else
I can finally be myself
'Cause I don't want to be myself
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it
(I don't want to be myself)
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This one is gonna be long. My apologies!
I've looked through most of your interpretations and I don't feel satisfied. Generally, people seems to think of this song as one about heartbreak, bad relationships, obsessive relationships and so on. Just listen to the vibe of the song! It has a creepy, lurking sound which I don't think fit in a post-relationship context. Also, listen to they way he sings. Sometimes it is like he's having a conversation with himself. This is my version of what is going on..
The lyrics reflects the thoughts and actions of a crazed man (could be a woman too, but I personally picture it as a dude) who hates himself so much that he literally want to replace every part of him surgically. He wants to be a perfect being. This is done by abducting people, take them to his hideout and then dig out the bodypart he want to be his own. If you drop the metaphorical thinking it can get pretty obvious in many places. Let me explain in detail.
"Do you believe? Do you fade like a dream? Let me hear you breath. Let me watch as you sleep"
"The sparrow's eyes promises shift into judgments. I cannot deny that you were designed for my punishments"
"The blood and the body control the cut so it's seamless"
"Show me your heart, show me the way to complete this"
"Free my severed heart, give me you, I want it (I don't want to be myself)"
"I cannot maintain a semblance of normal anymore. I'd rather feel pain than try to fit in with you anymore. I'll throw it all away, like everybody else"
I left some parts out, mainly because of laziness. I'm pretty sure you can figure them out yourself :)