Goodnight, Travel Well

It's all about death. Period. I don't believe there are any hidden meanings or anything. It's about Dave's mother, who has just passed away, and Brandon's mother who was diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor. The first few times I listened to this moving song, I thought the lyrics were complex and I didn't understand. But in reality, they are quite simple- just brilliant, and you have to think. Here, I'll translate them for you..

The unknown distance to the great beyond Stares back at my grieving frame

(The unknown distance is heaven- he is looking up at the sky and heaven stares back at him. He is going through he initial stages of grief- he is in shock, he is upset, he is still waiting for his mother to return.)

To cast my shadow by the holy sun My spirit moans with a sacred pain

(The holy sun and the shadow all has to do with religion, heaven. The spirit and the sacred pain is technically saying that he is in an indescribable pain)

And it's quiet now The universe is standing still

(The quiet is from his mother being gone, without her everything just stops. He is coming to the realization that she is gone, and he is discovering how different it is without her)

[Chorus] There's nothing I can say There's nothing we can do now There's nothing I can say There's nothing we can do now

(This is another stage of grief. He knows that she is gone- he is angry and frustrated with himself and the situation. It is too late to change anything now- neither of them can do anything about it)

And all that stands between the souls release This temporary flesh and bone

(He begins to question life and what it really is. He understands the not much stands between life and death, and we are all temporary here on earth)

We know that it's over now I feel my faded mind begin to roam

(He is speaking to himself and his mother- trying to convince himself that everything they had is done- but he can't help but think of the past)

Every time you fall And every time you try Every foolish dream And every compromise Every word you spoke And everything you said Everything you left me, rambles in my head

(He is at yet another stage of grief. Getting angry and realizing that none of that shit means anything anymore. Every time his mother tried to do something, every time she had a dream, every time she spoke a word- he is pretty much saying that it was all a waste of time because she no longer exists. However, he can't stop thinking of everything she taught him and did for him and told him- the memories kill him)

[Chorus]

Up above the world so high

(This has various meanings. Of course it is a line from "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", which could have been a song she said to him, or just a song that reminds him of childhood and innocent. He knows that now his mother actually is up above the world so high. He can't take the intense pain)

And everything you loved And every time you try Everybody's watching Everybody cry

(He is still thinking and grieving. Talking about how his mother was a real person- a woman who loved and a woman who had passion and a woman who did so much. He can't wrap his head around that in such a quick moment that can all be over. He is surrounded by family and friends who grieve along with him. He is extremely sad and he doesn't know what to do)

Stay, don't leave me The stars can wait for your sign Don't signal now

(Know he is past the stage of shock and confusion and anger and frustration. He is sad. Just extremely sad. He becomes a child and he gets on his knees and he begs- please please don't leave me here alone. He tells the stars or God or the grim reaper or whoever takes someone when they die, that they can wait- he will do anything- just do not take her from me.

[Chorus]

Goodnight, travel well Goodnight, travel well

(He has reached the final stage. The stars have ignored his pleadings, he accepts that his mother is gone. He is the saddest, most frustrated and confused man on the face of the earth. But he fights through it and finds peace. He knows that he can't change anything. He says his final farewells to his mother- and he pretty much wishes her luck in heaven. He hopes she is safe and okay. Tears are streaming down his face but he smiles because he thinks of the life he shared with his mother- the good times. He knows that she can hear him- and he feels at peace.

And there's nothing I can say There's nothing I can do now

(He revisits the thoughts of any grieving man.There is nothing I can do. There is nothing I can say. It is what it is. I can't change it. It ail be okay and we will move one. It will be okay.