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.
When the hills let go
Slowly fade into the water like some ancient lover
On a ship filled with ghosts
It's something to behold
When the paper thin girls
With twisting little braids in their hair,
They take off their coats and throw
Pebbles and stones from the side of the boat,
Crying out
The stones they float, the stones they float
Oh my God, the stones they float, the stones they float
Down the burning ropes
Past the places where the steal beams meet concrete skies
You make your bed under the moonlight
I think it's time we said goodbye
Cause nothing moves in the warm air
And words that once would cut like a knife,
They just hang in the cloud and you're
Pushed by the lord,
But you're pulled by the crowds and
You're overboard, you're overboard
Oh my God, she's overboard
My love she's overboard
She's overboard
My love she's over board
Not a shell unbroken
In the valley where my heartache and the timbers lay
It's not the time to be hanging around here
You know what some might say
That people get too reckless
That even with the simplest of crimes
They leave, blood behind,
As I clean the knife for the very last time
I think she knows, I think she knows
Oh my God, I think she knows
I think she knows
Slowly fade into the water like some ancient lover
On a ship filled with ghosts
It's something to behold
When the paper thin girls
With twisting little braids in their hair,
They take off their coats and throw
Pebbles and stones from the side of the boat,
Crying out
The stones they float, the stones they float
Oh my God, the stones they float, the stones they float
Down the burning ropes
Past the places where the steal beams meet concrete skies
You make your bed under the moonlight
I think it's time we said goodbye
Cause nothing moves in the warm air
And words that once would cut like a knife,
They just hang in the cloud and you're
Pushed by the lord,
But you're pulled by the crowds and
You're overboard, you're overboard
Oh my God, she's overboard
My love she's overboard
She's overboard
My love she's over board
Not a shell unbroken
In the valley where my heartache and the timbers lay
It's not the time to be hanging around here
You know what some might say
That people get too reckless
That even with the simplest of crimes
They leave, blood behind,
As I clean the knife for the very last time
I think she knows, I think she knows
Oh my God, I think she knows
I think she knows
Lyrics submitted by kariboetje, edited by ThusItWas
Down the Burning Ropes Lyrics as written by James Mcmorrow
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I think this song is about a murderer who lets his lover take the falls for his crimes, and she gets hung at the gallows.
"When the hills let go Slowly fade into the water like some ancient lover On a ship filled with ghosts It's something to behold" This part might mean that his problems are sinking, like his ancient lover- ancient because she is dead and her ghost haunts him.
"When the paper thin girls With twisting little braids in their hair, They take off their coats and throw Pebbles and stones from the side of the boat, Crying out The stones they float, the stones they float Oh my God, the stones they float, the stones they float"
The paper thin girls could be the spectators for the hanging, and the stones floating is a metaphor. Stones don't float, it is impossible for them to float, and like the woman being hung, it is impossible for her to be the murderer.
"Down the burning ropes Past the places where the steal beams meet concrete skies You make your bed under the moonlight I think it's time we said goodbye"
Down the burning ropes could be the nuse (dont know how to spell it) that is going to hang the woman. When they bury her she is in a grave, and her "bed" is buried under the moonlight
"Cause nothing moves in the warm air And words that once would cut like a knife, They just hang in the cloud and you're Pushed by the lord, But you're pulled by the crowds and You're overboard, you're overboard Oh my God, she's overboard"
So now that she is killed, she is innocent so rather than go to hell the Lord is trying to bring her to heaven but the spectators believe she is guilty so they want her to go to hell, and now she's overboard with the accusations of this crime.
"My love she's overboard She's overboard My love she's over board" This proves that it's his love thats the one who is "overboard"
"Not a shell unbroken In the valley where my heartache and the timbers lay It's not the time to be hanging around here You know what some might say"
So now the village where he lives is full of heartache and the aftermath of this woman's death. Gossip goes on in the village.
"That people get too reckless That even with the simplest of crimes They leave, blood behind, As I clean the knife for the very last time I think she knows, I think she knows Oh my God, I think she knows
I think she knows"
People were gossiping about how people get reckless with their crimes, and he reminisces on how he became reckless with his murders and his wife probably came in and witnessed the killing. He realizes that his lover knows that he is a murderer.
I think it's about his ill-fated trip to America (where the steel beams meet concrete sky) to record an album and it went to shit.
It's about the stark difference between his home life and the Big Machine. Ireland made him and it gave him his love for music (the lover that later goes overboard). Pushed by the Lord (natural musical gifts and love for it) but pulled by the crowd (promise of reaching a wider audience).
When the hills let go and slip into the water can be seen as literally watching Home fade away into the distance as you travel. He seems to be saying that the ghosts and paper thin girls (stereotypical Hollywood types) were with him from the beginning of the journey and he didn't like it from the start.
The stones they float. This I think is echoed later when he talks about words that would normally cut like a knife. The stones that they throw from the side of the boat I imagine can be viewed like 'sticks and stones' in that the way they speak (to him) is harsh and hurtful. Rather than sink like the paper thin girls are used to they float in the air for James as he's not used to hearing it.
He went to make some money so he could keep doing what he loves (the simplest of crimes) but betrayed his love (leaving blood behind). He then worries that "she knows". He's betrayed his God-given gifts and she knows it, will she forgive him?
By the sound of the album which he made once BACK in the UK, I'd say she did. Amazing album and this is potentially the best song on it.