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.
Standing knee-deep in cold water, swiftly moving
Somehow I knew I lost something
Waiting waist-deep I saw a book there, in the river
Waiting for me to find it there
I tried to read it, neck deep, treading water
The tide pulled me out to sea
Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried
Sinking down deep through cold water and heavy silence
Shadows stirring in the gloom
What things lay sleeping down deep in the darkness?
Woke then to find me in my tomb
Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried
And when I lost all hope to look
Someone took that heavy book from my hands
All it's weight they set aside
After they had satisfied it's demands
I felt white and black reverse
And the lifting of a curse from my heart
Then like one receiving sight
I beheld a brilliant light in the dark
Somehow I knew I lost something
Waiting waist-deep I saw a book there, in the river
Waiting for me to find it there
I tried to read it, neck deep, treading water
The tide pulled me out to sea
Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried
Sinking down deep through cold water and heavy silence
Shadows stirring in the gloom
What things lay sleeping down deep in the darkness?
Woke then to find me in my tomb
Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried
And when I lost all hope to look
Someone took that heavy book from my hands
All it's weight they set aside
After they had satisfied it's demands
I felt white and black reverse
And the lifting of a curse from my heart
Then like one receiving sight
I beheld a brilliant light in the dark
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I think it's "wading waist deep, I saw a book there in the river", not "waiting..." but it's no big deal.
I think the book referenced in the song is the book of Law in the bible. The more he tries to keep the law by himself, he sinks deeper in the water, until finally Christ pulls him up and saves him by perfectly keeping the law, something that he (the speaker) couldn't do by himself: "someone took that heavy book from my hands/all its weight they set aside/after they had satisfied its demands"
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or genuine. But, yes, that's precisely what I believe it means.
I think you are exactly right. This is my favorite song on the whole album!
Awesome song. playitloud, do you have a scripture reference to this? I am in no way questioning, just want to read it! Thanks!
@jcanfield There's no reference in scripture to this exact metaphor of being pulled out of the water, but basically Romans as a whole alludes to this. The basic idea being that we were given the law and told to keep it, but we couldn't and we sinned against God in doing so. Therefore we were "sinking" with this heavy book because we couldn't satisfy its demands. Then Christ comes in and keeps the law perfectly and lives a perfect life, satisfying the demands of the law, something that we couldn't do on our own. We were cursed, but through his death, the curse was lifted ("and the lifting of a curse from my heart")...
I believe the water holds more of a significance here. He starts in the water knee deep. Eventually he is submerged. After Christ takes the book, the weight is lifted and his head is back above water. Sounds a lot like a baptism to me, which would satisfy the rationale of Christ saving him. No doubt you were on the right track though. Regardless, beautiful lyrics. Dustin never fails to move me. Between this song and "The Great Exchange," simply gifted writing.
Nice interpretation. I was trying to figure out which book he was referencing too as it said:<br /> <br /> "They were beautiful and dread, I reached for them and fed on each phrase. They were honey on my lips, then a bitter twist in my side".<br /> <br /> It makes sense, the way the law was made, intended for God and His people to become one again through the work of the law. But like you said, the more he tries to do it he realizes that he will die as in:<br /> <br /> "I knew they'd lay me in my grave 'Is there no one who could save me?' I cried"<br /> <br /> Then Christ comes and takes the weight of the law off of him and now see's in the darkness. What was once impossible for man alone is now possible through Christ's righteousness that was given to us through the cross. This song is seriously deep, the more I read the lyrics the more I realize that my works alone will lead me to the grave, and that only Christ's work which satisfied God's wrath will allow me to enter eternity. Grace....it's all grace.<br /> <br /> Thanks for the translation!
@jcanfield<br /> "They were honey on my lips..."<br /> How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! -Psalm 119:103<br /> <br /> "Bitter twist in my side..."<br /> I though that this had something to do with Paul's reference to a thorn in his side (2 Corinth. 12:7), but it's not. <br /> <br /> "The word began to rise from their place..."<br /> The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. -John 6:63<br /> <br /> "I knew they'd lay me in my grave<br /> 'Is there no one who could save me?' I cried"<br /> The letter kills but the Spirit gives life. -2 Corinthians 3:6<br /> <br /> Lol basically...they're doctrinally sound...which is why their music not only ministers to me but also convicts me (e.g. Promises, Yellow Belly). Had me on my knee's repenting. I think this is the depth and tone of music Jesus would listen to...theologically accurate truths conveyed through raw dysphemism artistry.
"I knew they'd lay me in my grave...Is there no one who can save me?" could also allude to Romans 7, "What wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"<br /> <br /> Romans 7 also speaks of the entrapment that comes with a reliance on the word of the law, rather than a reliance on the Giver of the Law. This is a theme Thrice has visited on several occasions, At The Last being one of the most prominent.<br /> <br />