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.
Started in a timeless tradition
Still marking time
The wildest ambitions
Were just false alarms
In this mindless condition
I started to smile
But in time I was wishing
For nothing so wild
You gave me white wine and fried chicken
A new place to stay
Where my heart has permission
To sing all the day
And your smile is resistant
But starting to sway
Where the wild water's swimming
And leading us astray
We dream ourselves into a new position
And waste all the day
With our blues in remission
We'll keep them at bay
And in time's row permission
The clock fades away
I can hear its heart ticking
With nothing to say
You gave me white wine and fried chicken
A new place to stay
Where my heart has permission
To sing all the day
And your smile is resistant
But starting to sway
Where the wild water swimming
It leads us astray
Ah, la la, la la
Ah, la la, la la
Ah, la la, la la la
Ah, la la, la la
Ah, la la, la la la
Still marking time
The wildest ambitions
Were just false alarms
In this mindless condition
I started to smile
But in time I was wishing
For nothing so wild
You gave me white wine and fried chicken
A new place to stay
Where my heart has permission
To sing all the day
And your smile is resistant
But starting to sway
Where the wild water's swimming
And leading us astray
We dream ourselves into a new position
And waste all the day
With our blues in remission
We'll keep them at bay
And in time's row permission
The clock fades away
I can hear its heart ticking
With nothing to say
You gave me white wine and fried chicken
A new place to stay
Where my heart has permission
To sing all the day
And your smile is resistant
But starting to sway
Where the wild water swimming
It leads us astray
Ah, la la, la la
Ah, la la, la la
Ah, la la, la la la
Ah, la la, la la
Ah, la la, la la la
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.