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.
Let me kiss your cheek and chin, and tell you I forgive you;
I always knew, my Liz, my love, how much you lied to me.
Let me kiss your neck and hand; your memory will outlive you.
Your sorrow and your joy will live forever in this sea.
I've always loved the lily-maids, the lighthouse keepers' daughters,
The children of the river and the keepers of the waves.
I take them to my bed and let them take me to the waters,
To the mysteries and silences no hero ever saves.
I've always loved what's best unloved, the ones bound fast to leave me,
The empty-handed maidens who have placed their swords in stones.
I take them to my bed, although I know that they'll deceive me;
It's better to be lost at sea than found, but all alone.
Let me kiss your lips and hair, and say my eyes were open;
I always knew, my Liz, my love, what you would do to me.
Let me kiss your face and eyes; no promises were broken.
Your darkness and your light will shine forever in this sea.
I've always loved the ones we'll lose, the sibyls of the shoreline,
Who comb their hair with driftwood, and whose skies are never clear.
They take me to the rocks, and I pretend that they can be mine;
They leave me as they will, and still, the next will find me here.
Don't think that I'm an innocent, although I've played the fool;
Don't think I've ever been betrayed, for that was never true.
I knew the game each time I played. I've never changed a rule.
So don't you cry, my Liz, my love. I went to sea for you.
Let me kiss you one last time; the morning light is breaking.
I always knew, my Liz, my love, just what the end would be.
Let me send you on your way, for there is no mistaking
The cost that every man must pay who comes to love the sea.
Written on: 2005-10-14. Seanan McGuire
I always knew, my Liz, my love, how much you lied to me.
Let me kiss your neck and hand; your memory will outlive you.
Your sorrow and your joy will live forever in this sea.
I've always loved the lily-maids, the lighthouse keepers' daughters,
The children of the river and the keepers of the waves.
I take them to my bed and let them take me to the waters,
To the mysteries and silences no hero ever saves.
I've always loved what's best unloved, the ones bound fast to leave me,
The empty-handed maidens who have placed their swords in stones.
I take them to my bed, although I know that they'll deceive me;
It's better to be lost at sea than found, but all alone.
Let me kiss your lips and hair, and say my eyes were open;
I always knew, my Liz, my love, what you would do to me.
Let me kiss your face and eyes; no promises were broken.
Your darkness and your light will shine forever in this sea.
I've always loved the ones we'll lose, the sibyls of the shoreline,
Who comb their hair with driftwood, and whose skies are never clear.
They take me to the rocks, and I pretend that they can be mine;
They leave me as they will, and still, the next will find me here.
Don't think that I'm an innocent, although I've played the fool;
Don't think I've ever been betrayed, for that was never true.
I knew the game each time I played. I've never changed a rule.
So don't you cry, my Liz, my love. I went to sea for you.
Let me kiss you one last time; the morning light is breaking.
I always knew, my Liz, my love, just what the end would be.
Let me send you on your way, for there is no mistaking
The cost that every man must pay who comes to love the sea.
Written on: 2005-10-14. Seanan McGuire
Lyrics submitted by Nonny
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