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.
They told me this was my vision
Then they told me that this was my wall
They told me these were my wishes
That once I'd used them, that was all
They told me this was my free mind
They told me it was my right
They said don't burden yourself
With the things that do not please you.
You are the center of your sight.
(Chorus)
There's a river runnin' deeper
A softer wind that sings his song
There's freedom with no promise of heaven
That's no freedom at all.
They told me any road's a winner
The future is mine to tell
They said when I sit down for dinner
That I should only thank myself
They told me "Jesus" was a bad word
And that religion was a chain
They told me prayer was a one-man conversation
And God was someone I could blame
(Chorus)
I could use my heart to scratch the surface
Search beyond the cynical
Cause livin' life for my own selfish purpose
Well, that's not livin' at all
That's why I'm diggin' deeper
And I'm listenin' hard to hear His song
Cause freedom with no promise of heaven
Well, that's no freedom at all
Cause freedom with no promise of heaven
Well, that's no freedom at all
No freedom at all.
Then they told me that this was my wall
They told me these were my wishes
That once I'd used them, that was all
They told me this was my free mind
They told me it was my right
They said don't burden yourself
With the things that do not please you.
You are the center of your sight.
(Chorus)
There's a river runnin' deeper
A softer wind that sings his song
There's freedom with no promise of heaven
That's no freedom at all.
They told me any road's a winner
The future is mine to tell
They said when I sit down for dinner
That I should only thank myself
They told me "Jesus" was a bad word
And that religion was a chain
They told me prayer was a one-man conversation
And God was someone I could blame
(Chorus)
I could use my heart to scratch the surface
Search beyond the cynical
Cause livin' life for my own selfish purpose
Well, that's not livin' at all
That's why I'm diggin' deeper
And I'm listenin' hard to hear His song
Cause freedom with no promise of heaven
Well, that's no freedom at all
Cause freedom with no promise of heaven
Well, that's no freedom at all
No freedom at all.
Lyrics submitted by Viaken
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