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.
"You drank of the chalice of satan's blood"
You know we pass from death to life
Because we love each other
Anyone who does not love remains in death
Anyone who hates his brother has broken this command
"Thou shall not murder
Thou shall not kill
Thou shall not murder
Thou shall not kill"
"Nancy was a goddamn friend of mine"
This is how we know what love is
Jesus Christ laid down his life
For us and we are to lay down our lives
"You know you drank of his blood"
"Thou shall not murder"
You've broken this command
"Thou shall not kill" (x4)
"...You will pay for your sins
Satan hates your goddamn guts
You drank his blood"
You know we pass from death to life
Because we love each other
Anyone who does not love remains in death
Anyone who hates his brother has broken this command
"Thou shall not murder
Thou shall not kill
Thou shall not murder
Thou shall not kill"
"Nancy was a goddamn friend of mine"
This is how we know what love is
Jesus Christ laid down his life
For us and we are to lay down our lives
"You know you drank of his blood"
"Thou shall not murder"
You've broken this command
"Thou shall not kill" (x4)
"...You will pay for your sins
Satan hates your goddamn guts
You drank his blood"
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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I can't help but think of Nancy Spungen and Sid Vicious when the "Nancy was a goddamn friend of mine" line comes in. If you haven't already watched the music video, I would totally suggest to do so, as it provides even more of an understanding. What I got from it is that it's a song providing expression of the inevitable guilt a child feels as they first witness a death of a person, animal, or anything else; the absolute rock-bottom that they feel, and that we have all felt, as we realise that nothing is immortal, and that there's nothing we can do to prevent death.