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.
Always caring, always mine
Always reaching for what isn't there
It just isn't there at all
The smallest doubt can swell and grow
And all hope shrinks into indifference
It makes no difference to me
I was only five
When I heard the tale of the little train that said
" I think I can "
But what's hard to give is hard to get
And once you've lost it it's always gone
It's always gone
Sometimes I wish that I could cry
Instead of wondering what's on her mind
What was on my mind this time
For consolation there's always a next time
But will you take the time ?
It will take some time
Don't misunderstand
Half the time I can
Don't misunderstand
Half the time I only think I can
I was only five
When I heard the tale of the little train that said
"I think I can"
But what's hard to give is hard to get
And once you've lost it it's always gone
It's always gone
Standing on the railroad tracks
I hear the whistle the godfather's call
The biggest train of all
It's speeding closer towards the bridge
I'm hoping it can show me how it's done
Always reaching for what isn't there
It just isn't there at all
The smallest doubt can swell and grow
And all hope shrinks into indifference
It makes no difference to me
I was only five
When I heard the tale of the little train that said
" I think I can "
But what's hard to give is hard to get
And once you've lost it it's always gone
It's always gone
Sometimes I wish that I could cry
Instead of wondering what's on her mind
What was on my mind this time
For consolation there's always a next time
But will you take the time ?
It will take some time
Don't misunderstand
Half the time I can
Don't misunderstand
Half the time I only think I can
I was only five
When I heard the tale of the little train that said
"I think I can"
But what's hard to give is hard to get
And once you've lost it it's always gone
It's always gone
Standing on the railroad tracks
I hear the whistle the godfather's call
The biggest train of all
It's speeding closer towards the bridge
I'm hoping it can show me how it's done
Lyrics submitted by TheGodfather
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ah, i love this song, its so...different from other dag nasty songs
agreed.
not that different at all. have you not heard Wig Out at Denko's? The Whole album is pretty like this.
The honest truth is: this song is about not being able to "get it up."
Seriously!? Haha!
It's about a breakup.
i think this song is about being emotionally damaged, about not being able to give yourself completely to another person, and feeling alienated and alone as a result. half the time he can, and half the time he only thinks he can. then there's the godfather, "the biggest train of all"; those lines seem to evoke suicide.
all of that said, there's also a great case to be made for this being about erectile dysfunction.