Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Every time you think about it
It tears you up inside
You curse the day your mother
told you, your father died
Now you're always searching
Searching for the reason why I've gone
But I will always be here
By your side, through the darkest night
Here I'll stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk through the field where I died
I will fight and let the voice ring true
I am the ghost
Standing next to you
Every night you go to sleep
You pray the Lord my soul to keep
You don't know I've not gone away
You see I watch over fighting men
So they can have peace again
And maybe someday you will all be free
Here I'll stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk through the field where I died
I will fight and let the voice ring true
I am the ghost
Standing next to you
You speak to me
And I feel your pride
Assuring me I'll never die
I write Mother
"He's here with me"
He's in our minds
He's in our souls
Of sacrifice his story's told
He holds the flame of freedom for all to see
Here we stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk in the field where I fight
I will fight of die for liberty
With the ghost standing next to me
Don't tread on me, live free or die!
To our fallen brothers
You died to keep us free
To our fallen brothers
Who gave us liberty!
It tears you up inside
You curse the day your mother
told you, your father died
Now you're always searching
Searching for the reason why I've gone
But I will always be here
By your side, through the darkest night
Here I'll stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk through the field where I died
I will fight and let the voice ring true
I am the ghost
Standing next to you
Every night you go to sleep
You pray the Lord my soul to keep
You don't know I've not gone away
You see I watch over fighting men
So they can have peace again
And maybe someday you will all be free
Here I'll stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk through the field where I died
I will fight and let the voice ring true
I am the ghost
Standing next to you
You speak to me
And I feel your pride
Assuring me I'll never die
I write Mother
"He's here with me"
He's in our minds
He's in our souls
Of sacrifice his story's told
He holds the flame of freedom for all to see
Here we stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk in the field where I fight
I will fight of die for liberty
With the ghost standing next to me
Don't tread on me, live free or die!
To our fallen brothers
You died to keep us free
To our fallen brothers
Who gave us liberty!
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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,
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This song makes me cry. It's so powerful. No matter what exactly inspired it, it is about soldiers who died to keep us liberated. After living in a residential home for a year and a half, freedom is something I value greatly. This song means so much to me! -Chrissy