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.
Look behind, follow the line
Where did we stray?
What have we done?
This is no path beneath our feet
Our footsteps fall on filthy waste
We call these chains our jewelry
And refuse to see we’re trapped
(With their vomit in our mouths
We gasp for rotten air
Obey the command and swallow every bit
The clanking of machines drowns out the cries of the past
What’s it worth to you?)
What’s it worth toyou? The voices of the dead
Our machines will take their place
Gotta make ‘em dance, gotta tell ‘em what they want
Wrap it up and make it shine, put away those thoughts
You need the newest faces, listen to those looks
They didn’t have to think at all, why should you?
You will choke it down
This is all you need
You will worship them
They need devotion
You will take this mind we’ve made for you
You will fall in line
We stand in perfectly straight lines
The shining lights draw our eyes
Can we not look away?
Look down and see where we stand?
There is nothing for us
Giant shoulders wait and waste
(We are) pathetic
(We are) bought and sold
No price is too low
They’ve got what we need
A plastic shield inside
For a plastic shell of art
You love a name, a pretty plastic face
Crafted by the masters
The machines are pleased
You call this your life
You call this your love
Take my bleeding hands
Take my battered brain
Tell me this is real
Tell me this is right
Tell me what you love
Tell me what you know
Where did we stray?
What have we done?
This is no path beneath our feet
Our footsteps fall on filthy waste
We call these chains our jewelry
And refuse to see we’re trapped
(With their vomit in our mouths
We gasp for rotten air
Obey the command and swallow every bit
The clanking of machines drowns out the cries of the past
What’s it worth to you?)
What’s it worth toyou? The voices of the dead
Our machines will take their place
Gotta make ‘em dance, gotta tell ‘em what they want
Wrap it up and make it shine, put away those thoughts
You need the newest faces, listen to those looks
They didn’t have to think at all, why should you?
You will choke it down
This is all you need
You will worship them
They need devotion
You will take this mind we’ve made for you
You will fall in line
We stand in perfectly straight lines
The shining lights draw our eyes
Can we not look away?
Look down and see where we stand?
There is nothing for us
Giant shoulders wait and waste
(We are) pathetic
(We are) bought and sold
No price is too low
They’ve got what we need
A plastic shield inside
For a plastic shell of art
You love a name, a pretty plastic face
Crafted by the masters
The machines are pleased
You call this your life
You call this your love
Take my bleeding hands
Take my battered brain
Tell me this is real
Tell me this is right
Tell me what you love
Tell me what you know
Lyrics submitted by JDT
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