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.
New York City
Where all your girls are pretty
All your men are running from somewhere
Making a name for themselves
Are you running from something
Or did you come from nothing
Are you testing the Lord
With the cards that you've been dealt
Where do you find peace
In the middle of the city
Hard enough to find a friend
When everyone's starting over again
I feel like a child
In a world that seems shapeless
When I am most afraid
Is when I get sucked back in
Yeah, you came here with nothing
And you're leaving with the same
Sometimes the road that you were walking on
Is going the wrong way
Just come as you are
When you leave you will be changed
Everyday is a gift, everyday is a gift
And it's all slipping away
Now if you leave
Will you feel defeated
Cause you didn't take from the city
As much as the city took from you
What if you'd stayed
What if you'd done what you were thinking
I'd rather you give up on life in the city
Than giving up on life, too
It must be hard to live
In the midst of all those buildings
Where the changing of the wind
Don't seem a miracle at all
And by the hands of man
It's a maze of bad habits
Where the rabbit in the hat
Is just a train in the fog
Yeah, you came here with nothing
And you're leaving with the same
Sometimes the road that you were walking on
Is going the wrong way
Just come as you are
When you leave you will be changed
Everyday is a gift, everyday is a gift
And it's all slipping away
Follow your dreams
But beware of the illusions
You won't feel the void in your heart
With a bank statement and a car
What is it worth, what is it worth
Have you given up on freedom
You spent your life earning the keys to set you free
When you were free all along
New York City
Where all your girls are pretty
All your men are running from somewhere
Making a name for themselves
Are you running from something
Or did you come from nothing
Are you testing the Lord
With the cards that you've been dealt
Lyrics submitted by lovemetal23
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This song is just, perfect.
Everyone has a New York City, some destination where we believe that we will fit in, thrive, and be inspired. However, the song warns of "illusions" and speaks of running from something. For me, the song is asking if location is relevant. If "every day is a gift" does it matter where we are? We have to make the best of the "cards that we are dealt" "sometimes the road youre walking on is leading to nothing" "every day is a gift and its all slipping away"
This song is absolutely amazing. To me, the song tells that everyone is running from something. What you're running toward may not be what you need. It's just an illusion of your dreams.
The song also involves money and what road you choose in life. "What is it worth, what is it worth Have you given up on freedom You spent your life earning the keys to set you free When you were free all along" I believe those lines are meant to make you think about life you're choosing. They tell you that doing things you don't love for money that will "set you free" is a waste of time, and soon you'll find your life is closing, you've wasted it. You don't need to get lots of money or freedom to chase your dreams. We're already free.
This song is beautiful in every way. A friend told me to listen to it because it reminds her of me. It's easy to see why, the biggest dream of my life is to end in New York City, while she is afraid that New York will disappoint me. This song tells how many people want to come to New York to find something, and of course it's a beautiful city but one line explains it perfectly "You came here with nothing and you're leaving with the same".