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.
I was alone, then you came along
So unexpected but you made me strong
Never took for granted what I thought was mine
We'd stay together was the plan I had for you and I
Everything seemed right
How could a love that was so special, that it gave you life
Just be taken without warning
I sit here alone and still wonder why
With all the tears we cry
Wash away the pain inside
All the questions are left behind
Floating in the tears we cry
Don't feel the anger and I don't feel the pain
Just an empty space where your loving arms would make my day
There's not a single trace
Now I try to keep believing
It was meant to be
If a God's so demanding
I'd face all he has just to keep you with me
Every time I close my eyes, I see you there
Then I wonder why
I never keep you
Safe and warm
Nothing's gonna change the way you came and went
Just like a summer's day
Just an empty space now that you have gone
Oh, now I keep trying to believe it was meant to be
If there's a God up in heaven
All I know is he ain't looking at me
So unexpected but you made me strong
Never took for granted what I thought was mine
We'd stay together was the plan I had for you and I
Everything seemed right
How could a love that was so special, that it gave you life
Just be taken without warning
I sit here alone and still wonder why
With all the tears we cry
Wash away the pain inside
All the questions are left behind
Floating in the tears we cry
Don't feel the anger and I don't feel the pain
Just an empty space where your loving arms would make my day
There's not a single trace
Now I try to keep believing
It was meant to be
If a God's so demanding
I'd face all he has just to keep you with me
Every time I close my eyes, I see you there
Then I wonder why
I never keep you
Safe and warm
Nothing's gonna change the way you came and went
Just like a summer's day
Just an empty space now that you have gone
Oh, now I keep trying to believe it was meant to be
If there's a God up in heaven
All I know is he ain't looking at me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Tears We Cry Lyrics as written by James Dixon Barnes
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,