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.
Oh, no one else is happily, recklessly
Asking for more than what they may need
I can't say what I need
Oh, temper what you say if you've nothing nice to say
So my grandmother says to me
With her heart on her sleeve
So, sadly I left the door open
And I let the dog out in the snow
Oh where did she go?
Oh, father friend, will you punish me, punish me
With a look of contempt, with a look of contempt
I can't recall
Oh, I know you did right by me, right by me
Wagging your hands when you found me
With the bag of your things
Please, please don't be a stranger here
A stranger who takes from the world
Who takes from the world
You, you must be a Christmas tree, a Christmas tree
You light up the room, oh, you light up the room
Oh, you light up the room
So suddenly you kissed me
You tickled me in front of your mother, who looked away
With her hands on her face
Don't run away my friend
You won't be back again, you said you needed me
But I know that you needed yourself to be cleaned of me
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You said you needed me
But I know that you needed yourself to be cleaned of me
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You ran your hands through my hair, through the snow
Where the frost-blooded flows with the terrible ghost
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You said you needed me
But I know
Asking for more than what they may need
I can't say what I need
Oh, temper what you say if you've nothing nice to say
So my grandmother says to me
With her heart on her sleeve
So, sadly I left the door open
And I let the dog out in the snow
Oh where did she go?
Oh, father friend, will you punish me, punish me
With a look of contempt, with a look of contempt
I can't recall
Oh, I know you did right by me, right by me
Wagging your hands when you found me
With the bag of your things
Please, please don't be a stranger here
A stranger who takes from the world
Who takes from the world
You, you must be a Christmas tree, a Christmas tree
You light up the room, oh, you light up the room
Oh, you light up the room
So suddenly you kissed me
You tickled me in front of your mother, who looked away
With her hands on her face
Don't run away my friend
You won't be back again, you said you needed me
But I know that you needed yourself to be cleaned of me
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You said you needed me
But I know that you needed yourself to be cleaned of me
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You ran your hands through my hair, through the snow
Where the frost-blooded flows with the terrible ghost
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You said you needed me
But I know
Lyrics submitted by perpetualwolfe, edited by dronechip
Barcarola (You Must Be a Christmas Tree) Lyrics as written by Bryce David Dessner Aaron Brooking Dessner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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