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 met a sketchy little woman
And she walked a crooked line
She took a page from the Bible
Turnin' water into wine
She talked about a spirit
Said she had a crystal ball
Even spoke with the devil, made a telephone call
With her hocus pokus oil and brews
Everything she ID was front page news
The people all came on a Saturday night
We'll run her out of town and if she puts up a fight
Then we'll burn the house down
Burn the house down
Burn the house down
And throw away the key
So the bishop takes his queen
Across a check board square
Took a rose from her garden
And a lock from her hair
He talked some mambo jumbo
'Bout the moon and stars
Said he's walkin' on the water
When he's drivin' his car
Another Saturday night
And the newspapers read
The holy man died
He was smokin' in bed
Burn the house down
Burn the house down
And throw away the key
Burn the house down
Burn it into the ground
And throw away the key
So when you're sleepin' all alone
And there's a knock on your door
And you're on your knees prayin'
'Cause your like is a war
Say a Hail Mary as runnin' out of town
And thank the Lord you're living
As they burn your house down
Burn the house down
Burn the house down, down, down
And throw away the key
Burn the house down
Burn it to the ground
And throw away the key
And she walked a crooked line
She took a page from the Bible
Turnin' water into wine
She talked about a spirit
Said she had a crystal ball
Even spoke with the devil, made a telephone call
With her hocus pokus oil and brews
Everything she ID was front page news
The people all came on a Saturday night
We'll run her out of town and if she puts up a fight
Then we'll burn the house down
Burn the house down
Burn the house down
And throw away the key
So the bishop takes his queen
Across a check board square
Took a rose from her garden
And a lock from her hair
He talked some mambo jumbo
'Bout the moon and stars
Said he's walkin' on the water
When he's drivin' his car
Another Saturday night
And the newspapers read
The holy man died
He was smokin' in bed
Burn the house down
Burn the house down
And throw away the key
Burn the house down
Burn it into the ground
And throw away the key
So when you're sleepin' all alone
And there's a knock on your door
And you're on your knees prayin'
'Cause your like is a war
Say a Hail Mary as runnin' out of town
And thank the Lord you're living
As they burn your house down
Burn the house down
Burn the house down, down, down
And throw away the key
Burn the house down
Burn it to the ground
And throw away the key
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Burn the House Down Lyrics as written by Eddie Zeeman Andy Curran
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.