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.
The lights go out, I am all alone
All the trees outside are buried in the snow
I spend my night dancing with my own shadow
And it holds me, and it never lets me go
I move slow and steady
But I feel like a waterfall
Yeah, I move slow and steady
Past the ones that I used to know
My dear old friend, take me for a spin
Two wolves in the dark, running in the wind
I'm letting go, but I've never felt better
Passing by all the monsters in my head
And I move slow and steady
But I feel like a waterfall
Yeah, I move slow and steady
Past the ones that I used to know
And I'm never ready
'Cause I know, I know, I know
That time won't let me
Show what I want to show
And I move slow and steady
But I feel like a waterfall
Yeah, I move slow and steady
Past the ones that I used to know
And I'm never ready
'Cause I know, I know, I know
That time won't let me
Show what I want to show
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
All the trees outside are buried in the snow
I spend my night dancing with my own shadow
And it holds me, and it never lets me go
I move slow and steady
But I feel like a waterfall
Yeah, I move slow and steady
Past the ones that I used to know
My dear old friend, take me for a spin
Two wolves in the dark, running in the wind
I'm letting go, but I've never felt better
Passing by all the monsters in my head
And I move slow and steady
But I feel like a waterfall
Yeah, I move slow and steady
Past the ones that I used to know
And I'm never ready
'Cause I know, I know, I know
That time won't let me
Show what I want to show
And I move slow and steady
But I feel like a waterfall
Yeah, I move slow and steady
Past the ones that I used to know
And I'm never ready
'Cause I know, I know, I know
That time won't let me
Show what I want to show
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
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I feel as though everyone is making too general assumptions about this song, this is a VERY personal song. Have you ever say, had strong feelings for someone and they weren't returned after expressing them to that person? Or got in to a fight with someone you care about, not resolved it and let it pull you apart? Then have you ever tried to walk "Past the ones that I used to know" in public? You force yourself to act normally but in your head your mind is in overdrive thinking about just about everything involving said person "I move slow and steady But I feel like a waterfall" As well you may want to say something but you dont feel comfortable doing so "I know That time won't let me Show what I want to show"(You keep postponing solving the problem till you eventually feel its too late to do anything, youve lost your window of opportunity)
In summation its about the conflict and physical experience of trying to move past an uncomfortable part of your life both mentally and physically and the problems it presents. And the how sometimes you just have to dance with your own shadow (be happy with yourself and not require validation from others no matter how tough it can be) , or let a dear old freind take you for a spin(get your mind off of it)
@imtheocean Well said!