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.
Rest in my arms take it easy, child
Soon your horse will take you away
Try to feel safe & sound & think of better times
But your dreams won’t get you through another day, no
You bought your ticket down the lonely road
When you were just a baby in a lonely world
You headed to the ball so that you could take the fall
But you took another ride instead
Can’t take it, can’t make it
Through another dark alleyway foaming at the mouth
Trying to compensate for pain with pain
Take a ride down the soul river
‘Cause you’ve been swimming in a sea of lies
Oh take a dive in the soul river
Make you lose all control
Daybreak awakens you like a somber blow
All of your senses in denial
Try to convince yourself & make another vow
But you can’t escape the emptiness inside
Paralyzed by the cold dark feeling
As you try to wonder where you’ve been
Grab a pill, take a nap, fill your body full of crap
To forget about the fix you’re in
Got to be, got to be
Got to be a better way of life than cutting powder with a knife
Playing loser in a fight in the ring of hype
Take a ride down the soul river
‘Cause you’ve been swimming in a sea of lies
Oh take a dive in the soul river
Before it burns you up inside
Oh it’s gonna burn you up inside
At the end of every dark tunnel, baby
Glows a silver light
Look for the light
Lead
Take a ride down the soul river
‘Cause you’ve been drowning in a sea of lies
Oh take a dive in the soul river
Before it burns you up inside
Take a ride down the soul river
Take a ride down the soul river
Take a ride down the soul river
Oh take a dive in the soul river
Soon your horse will take you away
Try to feel safe & sound & think of better times
But your dreams won’t get you through another day, no
You bought your ticket down the lonely road
When you were just a baby in a lonely world
You headed to the ball so that you could take the fall
But you took another ride instead
Can’t take it, can’t make it
Through another dark alleyway foaming at the mouth
Trying to compensate for pain with pain
Take a ride down the soul river
‘Cause you’ve been swimming in a sea of lies
Oh take a dive in the soul river
Make you lose all control
Daybreak awakens you like a somber blow
All of your senses in denial
Try to convince yourself & make another vow
But you can’t escape the emptiness inside
Paralyzed by the cold dark feeling
As you try to wonder where you’ve been
Grab a pill, take a nap, fill your body full of crap
To forget about the fix you’re in
Got to be, got to be
Got to be a better way of life than cutting powder with a knife
Playing loser in a fight in the ring of hype
Take a ride down the soul river
‘Cause you’ve been swimming in a sea of lies
Oh take a dive in the soul river
Before it burns you up inside
Oh it’s gonna burn you up inside
At the end of every dark tunnel, baby
Glows a silver light
Look for the light
Lead
Take a ride down the soul river
‘Cause you’ve been drowning in a sea of lies
Oh take a dive in the soul river
Before it burns you up inside
Take a ride down the soul river
Take a ride down the soul river
Take a ride down the soul river
Oh take a dive in the soul river
Lyrics submitted by D2e5150
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.