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.
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
Grow up, get a job, and cut that hair.
Run off, join the army for all they care,
Or bring a blanket; it gets awfully cold
When you can't afford the heat and you're sleepin' alone.
Love living life from couch to couch;
Thought myself content living hand to mouth.
But when everything you own fits in a single bag,
No matter how light the load, it tends to drag.
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
Momma said there'd be days like this
But she's been too late too much this year.
(Momma said, Momma said)
Waking up when I was going to sleep before;
Bars are closing, I'm already out the door.
No semblance of stability
On old runner's legs in doubt.
I still even have the ability
To run this race without
My sacrifice... Recognize...
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
I make junk mail for The Man
Soon I'll be inking up your hands
While you toss away my work
Machines whir and I make plans
I make junk mail for The Man
I've been inking up your hands
While your sacrifice goes unrecognized...
[Instrumental Break w/ group "oohs" & "aahs"]
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
Grow up, get a job, and cut that hair.
Run off, join the army for all they care,
Or bring a blanket; it gets awfully cold
When you can't afford the heat and you're sleepin' alone.
Love living life from couch to couch;
Thought myself content living hand to mouth.
But when everything you own fits in a single bag,
No matter how light the load, it tends to drag.
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
Momma said there'd be days like this
But she's been too late too much this year.
(Momma said, Momma said)
Waking up when I was going to sleep before;
Bars are closing, I'm already out the door.
No semblance of stability
On old runner's legs in doubt.
I still even have the ability
To run this race without
My sacrifice... Recognize...
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
I make junk mail for The Man
Soon I'll be inking up your hands
While you toss away my work
Machines whir and I make plans
I make junk mail for The Man
I've been inking up your hands
While your sacrifice goes unrecognized...
[Instrumental Break w/ group "oohs" & "aahs"]
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
While the years are still on my side,
My back is strong, my eyes are wide.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
I want the work I do to be a bigger point of pride.
Lyrics submitted by thisiskacey
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yeah i thought it was "by myself," too. so i think you're right. :)
my friend nicole and i have been picking this album apart, and i realized today that in the previous line, the background vocals clearly say "couch to couch," but ben doesn't put a "ch" sound at the end the second time... It's more of an "st" kind of sound, and there's no "b" between that and "myself"...<br /> <br /> long story short, i think ben's interntionally layering the phrases to make the second one hard to decipher (maybe to sneak something in that he needs to get out without being too obvious about it? he's tricky!), and i've got "love living life from couch to couch/???? on myself; content living hand to mouth"<br /> <br /> ???? = starts with a hard C, followed by an "ah" or "ou" vowel sound, and ending with "st". not sure what comes between those steps. :[
aahh, i see what you're saying. i'm not completely sold on the idea of it being that complicated, but it's a really interesting theory. ill keep listening to see if i can figure anything out, though.
it could just be that he's launching into the next word early, but i KNOW he doesn't finish a 2nd "couch". lol i have listened to that section of the song so many times that i'm starting to risk insanity! :P