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.
Breathing an air
Permeated, soaked in darkness
Emanating from within
Resonating like a scream no one can hear
I wear this chaos well
Though none should save me
Desperation keeps me here
My need for innocence
The place where I began
The abyss becomes me
I wear this chaos well
Are these not words of heresy?
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified
In everything I choose to say
With you I stand in hope
That God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment
Until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears
Have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hope
That wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
Are these not words of heresy?
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified
In everything I choose to say
If I would shed my skin, the layers left
But not the lessons learned
It would not undo what I have done
Or grant forgiveness in some better days
With you I stand in hope
That God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment
Until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears
Have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hope
That wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
Permeated, soaked in darkness
Emanating from within
Resonating like a scream no one can hear
I wear this chaos well
Though none should save me
Desperation keeps me here
My need for innocence
The place where I began
The abyss becomes me
I wear this chaos well
Are these not words of heresy?
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified
In everything I choose to say
With you I stand in hope
That God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment
Until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears
Have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hope
That wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
Are these not words of heresy?
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified
In everything I choose to say
If I would shed my skin, the layers left
But not the lessons learned
It would not undo what I have done
Or grant forgiveness in some better days
With you I stand in hope
That God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment
Until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears
Have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hope
That wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
Lyrics submitted by PraiseTheFallen
Genesis Lyrics as written by Lon Rudolph Binta Manar
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song speaks to me of the fact that the true purpose of life is only what we can take with us when we leave it. Technology advances, civilizations grow, but in the end, it's our experiences and what we've learned that justify our existence. "If I would shed my skin, the layers left, but NOT the lessons learned, it would not undo what I have done." Life is not what you accomplish, but what you see along the way. The journey > the destination.