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.
Josephina, there's so much I want to know
I've known you for all of mine
But not all of yours
You're not a stranger
No, nothing could be further
I look back and I wonder
What you were like, long before
Josephina, if I asked you, would you tell me?
The fact from the fancy
And the dreams in between
Tell me a story
All about yours truly
Photographs from the past
Imagine the mystery
Didja get your head lost in a daydream?
Cinderella, waiting for her charming
Did ya break a heart, like little girls often do?
Pigtails and painted toes
All dressed up in your mother's clothes
Can you shine the light?
Ah, can you shine the light?
Oh, please can you shine some light?
Yeah, can you shine the light?
Shine the light on a shadow
Josephina, would you lay down your defenses?
So I could make sense of
Those colors fading to grey
It's not that you're hiding
Something, I'd never imply
Yesteryear I may be gone
Can't say the same for today
Yeah, Josephina
Ah, Josephina
How else am I to know, that all the while
There was a mischievous look, behind that smile?
It's hard to tell, when innocence comes and goes
I'm sure that there were times, life could be unkind
Without a shoulder to cry on
Can you shine the light?
Ah, can you shine the light?
Yeah, please can you shine some light?
Yeah, can you shine the light?
Yeah, can you shine the light?
Shine the light on a shadow
I've known you for all of mine
But not all of yours
You're not a stranger
No, nothing could be further
I look back and I wonder
What you were like, long before
Josephina, if I asked you, would you tell me?
The fact from the fancy
And the dreams in between
Tell me a story
All about yours truly
Photographs from the past
Imagine the mystery
Didja get your head lost in a daydream?
Cinderella, waiting for her charming
Did ya break a heart, like little girls often do?
Pigtails and painted toes
All dressed up in your mother's clothes
Can you shine the light?
Ah, can you shine the light?
Oh, please can you shine some light?
Yeah, can you shine the light?
Shine the light on a shadow
Josephina, would you lay down your defenses?
So I could make sense of
Those colors fading to grey
It's not that you're hiding
Something, I'd never imply
Yesteryear I may be gone
Can't say the same for today
Yeah, Josephina
Ah, Josephina
How else am I to know, that all the while
There was a mischievous look, behind that smile?
It's hard to tell, when innocence comes and goes
I'm sure that there were times, life could be unkind
Without a shoulder to cry on
Can you shine the light?
Ah, can you shine the light?
Yeah, please can you shine some light?
Yeah, can you shine the light?
Yeah, can you shine the light?
Shine the light on a shadow
Lyrics submitted by boundbythebich
Josephina Lyrics as written by Edward Van Halen Alex Van Halen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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How am I the first to comment on this song? the solo on this is one of the better EVH solos ever. I also don't know why people hate this album so much - I prefer it to most of VHs other albums.