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.
Rolling around a lifetime on a name that spells my past
Carried through the mile markers up towards some last laugh
And if fools could only prosper, I'm afraid what they might say
From a podium built on generations bleeding what they make
Because here it comes
Watch them all jump right in
Tell me, how could you refuse to float with the rest of them?
You were born into it, there's no shame if you drift
Down the bloodline
Feeling temperamental underneath a broke sun
A certificate of excellence, but no proof on your pay stub
And if money's not a problem, I suggest you best believe
There's ten dollars on the table, and a million up his sleeve
And here they come, watch them all pass us by
Tell me how could you refuse to look one in the eye?
Two sheets to the wind all over again
Down the bloodline
Down the bloodline
Yes, it feels scary to be ordinary
In a world that don't know your name
It would not be weird if I just disappeared
Blowing my back out, trying to hope I wake
Looking for a doctor with a cure for a broke heart
Seems I spent it all on a miracle just to watch it fall apart
Now there's no room for ill-complaining, I know it's all just what it is
Cherry-pick my best believers and send them off with a kiss
Because there they go
Watch them all wave goodbye
Tell me how could you refuse to think it's a wonderful life?
Two shoots to the wind all over again
Down the bloodline
Down the bloodline
Down the bloodline
Carried through the mile markers up towards some last laugh
And if fools could only prosper, I'm afraid what they might say
From a podium built on generations bleeding what they make
Because here it comes
Watch them all jump right in
Tell me, how could you refuse to float with the rest of them?
You were born into it, there's no shame if you drift
Down the bloodline
Feeling temperamental underneath a broke sun
A certificate of excellence, but no proof on your pay stub
And if money's not a problem, I suggest you best believe
There's ten dollars on the table, and a million up his sleeve
And here they come, watch them all pass us by
Tell me how could you refuse to look one in the eye?
Two sheets to the wind all over again
Down the bloodline
Down the bloodline
Yes, it feels scary to be ordinary
In a world that don't know your name
It would not be weird if I just disappeared
Blowing my back out, trying to hope I wake
Looking for a doctor with a cure for a broke heart
Seems I spent it all on a miracle just to watch it fall apart
Now there's no room for ill-complaining, I know it's all just what it is
Cherry-pick my best believers and send them off with a kiss
Because there they go
Watch them all wave goodbye
Tell me how could you refuse to think it's a wonderful life?
Two shoots to the wind all over again
Down the bloodline
Down the bloodline
Down the bloodline
Lyrics submitted by wafflecne
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Okay, so this is just my interpretation based on what I see in the lyrics and what the other songs seem to be about.
I think there are a couple of topics in the song, but the most prevalent seems to be politics.
"Rolling around a lifetime on a name that spells my past Carried through the mile markers up towards some last laugh And if fools could only prosper, I'm afraid what they might say From a podium built on generations bleeding what they make"
This whole verse speaks to the fact that a politician's name can dredge up so much slander and can make or break their path through politics. Even the history of your own family can affect your future. And "podium built on generations bleeding what they make"? Come on, that is so obviously a snark about taxes.
The second verse is commentary on people who vote one way all the time without considering the actual candidates and what they stand for. "You were born into it, there's no shame if you drift" is basically what most people do. They are born into a family with specific political beliefs and they vote that way the rest of their lives.
The third verse is pretty much about money being what makes the wheels of politics move. "There's ten dollars on the table, and a million up his sleeve" is more than likely referring to bribes and lobbyist backing of candidates.
As for the rest I'm really not sure, given my analysis was done in the space of about 10 minutes. Maybe later I'll have a more complete context.