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.
It's Christmas time
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time
We let in light and we banish shade
(Jonah doing Boy George)
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time
(Jonah doing George Michael)
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard
(Chino doing Simon LeBon)
But when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
(Jonah doing George Michael joins in)
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is
(Jonah doing Bono joins in)
The bitter sting of tears
(Jonah doing Bono)
And the Christmas bells that are ringing
Are clanging chimes of doom
Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you.
(Jonah) And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time.
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
(Chino) Oh-oh
(Jonah) Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
(Grady)Here's to you
(Jonah)raise a glass for everyone
(Grady)Here's to them
(Jonah)underneath that burning sun
(Everyone)Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Chorus (Everyone)
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time
We let in light and we banish shade
(Jonah doing Boy George)
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time
(Jonah doing George Michael)
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard
(Chino doing Simon LeBon)
But when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
(Jonah doing George Michael joins in)
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is
(Jonah doing Bono joins in)
The bitter sting of tears
(Jonah doing Bono)
And the Christmas bells that are ringing
Are clanging chimes of doom
Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you.
(Jonah) And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time.
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
(Chino) Oh-oh
(Jonah) Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
(Grady)Here's to you
(Jonah)raise a glass for everyone
(Grady)Here's to them
(Jonah)underneath that burning sun
(Everyone)Do they know it's Christmas time at all?
Chorus (Everyone)
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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.
This is Far, Chino, and Grady from Will Haven I believe. Cool cover.