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.
"It's coming any day now", said the captain
"It's coming any day now", cried the priest
The people in high places may defend you
But son, you better hope they keep the peace
Can't you hear them calling, can't you see them shine?
The city halls are falling, the defenders drink their wine
And when the party's over, their stomachs start to sag
Defenders, defenders of the flag
The congregation's waiting at the altar
They can't find the preacher anywhere
They found him with the new girl from the choir
Where they store the boxes of the book of prayer
If these guys are the good ones, I don't want to know the bad
You wonder how it happened, they just picked it up from dad
And faded old glory hanging like a rag
Defenders, defenders of the flag, oh
Oh, the flag is flying high over the courthouse
The wheels of justice never stood a chance
The judge is down at Charlie's on his lunch hour
Checking out the picture show from France
Carrying a fifth of whiskey in a dirty paper bag
Threw the ball to home but they always missed the tag
Faded old glory hanging like a rag
Defenders, defenders of the flag, yeah
Yeah, oh
"It's coming any day now", cried the priest
The people in high places may defend you
But son, you better hope they keep the peace
Can't you hear them calling, can't you see them shine?
The city halls are falling, the defenders drink their wine
And when the party's over, their stomachs start to sag
Defenders, defenders of the flag
The congregation's waiting at the altar
They can't find the preacher anywhere
They found him with the new girl from the choir
Where they store the boxes of the book of prayer
If these guys are the good ones, I don't want to know the bad
You wonder how it happened, they just picked it up from dad
And faded old glory hanging like a rag
Defenders, defenders of the flag, oh
Oh, the flag is flying high over the courthouse
The wheels of justice never stood a chance
The judge is down at Charlie's on his lunch hour
Checking out the picture show from France
Carrying a fifth of whiskey in a dirty paper bag
Threw the ball to home but they always missed the tag
Faded old glory hanging like a rag
Defenders, defenders of the flag, yeah
Yeah, oh
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Defenders of the Flag Lyrics as written by Jonathan Hornsby Bruce Hornsby
Lyrics © NORTH STAR MEDIA, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
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