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.
He ran a marathon, he didn't quite finish
He didn't quite cross the finish line
Actions without love
It never really crossed his mind
He sure got the accent down
And he sure can swoon the lady
And ya know, one day he'll learn
Actions without love, actions without love
The whole bloody language
She pulled out her check-book
She asked what the date was
She had to double-check
Actions without love, actions without love
She had to have an audience
Actions without love, actions without love
Love
He didn't quite cross the finish line
Actions without love
It never really crossed his mind
He sure got the accent down
And he sure can swoon the lady
And ya know, one day he'll learn
Actions without love, actions without love
The whole bloody language
She pulled out her check-book
She asked what the date was
She had to double-check
Actions without love, actions without love
She had to have an audience
Actions without love, actions without love
Love
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This one's for my hubby who loves this song and was dissapointed there were no comments.
The first stanza is about half-hearted efforts that don't quite get their goal accomplished. The second is about the misapplication of love. An abuse of what should be beautiful for selfish ends. The third is about generosity and giving that is motivated by self-exaltation. She had to double check, see if it fit her schedule, life, capacity, willingness to give. It was obviously not a priority, or maybe she was looking for a way out, an excuse to hold back. But afterall, she would reason, deluding herself or just lying to others? that if she could she would have given, helped, sacrificed.
All of them are displaying actions that appear to be virtuous but they are like clashing symbols - without love.