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.
Old Woman
I saw an old woman in a wheelchair
On the highway yesterday
I saw an old woman in a wheelchair
On the highway yesterday
And as I asked her to pull over
To make sure no truck would hit her
She smiled and mumbled "okay whatever you say."
And I said "I wonder why."
She said "Girl you're so naive
And you're too young to understand
I am now chasing my husband Stan
A pale man in a black suit came to take him
In trade for a cup of tea
A pale man came to take him away from me"
And I said, "I see," (and I really did)
"You go and chase him, go ahead
And when you catch him will you send him my love
And tell the pale man to make sure
To call before he comes to take me too.
To take me too."
(I saw an old woman...)
I saw an old woman in a wheelchair
On the highway yesterday
I saw an old woman in a wheelchair
On the highway yesterday
And as I asked her to pull over
To make sure no truck would hit her
She smiled and mumbled "okay whatever you say."
And I said "I wonder why."
She said "Girl you're so naive
And you're too young to understand
I am now chasing my husband Stan
A pale man in a black suit came to take him
In trade for a cup of tea
A pale man came to take him away from me"
And I said, "I see," (and I really did)
"You go and chase him, go ahead
And when you catch him will you send him my love
And tell the pale man to make sure
To call before he comes to take me too.
To take me too."
(I saw an old woman...)
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maybe this is the most poetic lyrics ever...
Im not sure about what this means, but i think that it just might be about an old woman whose husband died and now she's trying to join him...kinda morbid, but ok
It took me an embarrassingly long time to get this song, when really the symbolism is rather obvious, glaringly so by K's Choice standards. The old woman in the wheel chair is attempting to kill herself so she can be with her deceased husband. The Pale Man in the Black Suit she speaks of is Death, who took her husband away from her. The cup of tea is still a mystery to me, but it may not have meaning, and may just be something kind of absurd and sinister to take in trade for a loved one.
Haha, I never paid attention to the lyrics when I was young. I always thought this song was about a senile old woman. I'm glad I grew up :D. Very nice lyrics and great song.
As for the "cup of tea" ; it could be about alcohol. Like the man was actually alcoholic, and death took him because of that.
Indeed akagoldfishon,
That is the same interpretation I give to this song,
An old woman lost her husband and is in a wheelchair ready to commit suicide.
While this might sound a bit morbid, I have seen what the loss of a spouse can do to elderly people especially when they have been together a long long time. I believe that she makes the right choice to let her pursue on her way and go kill herself.
"The cup of tea" means "really nothing" She lost her husband and was given a cup of tea to comfort her.
In Belgium and I suppose in a lot of other places we have the weird ritual to go and sit down after the funeral with family and friend, eat and drink coffee.... guess that tea just sounded better.