The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
"I'm tired of being here
On this hill
No-one lives to be three hundred years
Like the way it used to be
I think they were giants
I think they were giants
On this hill, nothing grows except greed
You will stay to finish your work
As long as need be
As long as need be
On a clear day
I can see my old house
And my wife in the front yard
Talking with the friends
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
I'm tired of being here
On this hill
Where I'm sure to find my last meal
No-one lives to be three hundred years
On a clear day
I can see my old house
And my wife in the front yard
Talking with the friends
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
On this hill
No-one lives to be three hundred years
Like the way it used to be
I think they were giants
I think they were giants
On this hill, nothing grows except greed
You will stay to finish your work
As long as need be
As long as need be
On a clear day
I can see my old house
And my wife in the front yard
Talking with the friends
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
I'm tired of being here
On this hill
Where I'm sure to find my last meal
No-one lives to be three hundred years
On a clear day
I can see my old house
And my wife in the front yard
Talking with the friends
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
We gathered in spring
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
We Gathered Here in Spring Lyrics as written by Eric Pulido Eric Nichelson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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I believe this song is about... Jesus. I know. I know. Why do I have to bring it back to Jesus?
But, seriously, "I'm tired of being here on this hill" refers to the crucifixion at Mount Calvary.
"No-one lives to be three hundred years Like the way it used to be"
By the time of Jesus, all of the people named in the Old Testament are already gone. People like Noah, who lived to be 950 years old, Moses, who lived to be 900, etc. He may also be expressing his regret at the decline of modern man (modern to his time of course).
"I think they were giants"
Again, this may refer to their super human longevity, or their super human virtue, in comparison to his contemporary fellow man.
"On this hill, nothing grows except greed"
We've covered this mostly. Jesus, on Mount Calvary, referring to the greed of the men and women around him.
"You will stay to finish your work"
Midlake switches from first person to second person in a number of songs. I believe this is an example of that. In other words, Jesus will "stay" through his death, and eventual resurrection to finish his work, that being the salvation of mankind.
"On this hill Where I'm sure to find my last meal"
Clearly the man speaking is going to die on that hill...
"On a clear day I can see my old house And my wife in the front yard Talking with the friends"
This bit reminds me of the Last Temptation of Christ. Jesus is thinking about what it would've been like to live a normal life, married to Mary Magdalene.
"We gathered in spring"
Passover, Easter...