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.
OK. One, two, three, four.
Who am I
To stand and wonder, to wait
While the wheels of fate
Slowly grind my life away.
Who am I ?
There were some things that I loved one time,
But the dreams are gone that I thought were mine,
And the hidden tears that once could fall
Now burn inside at the thought of all
The years of waste, the years of cryin'
The passions of a heart so blind;
To think that, but even still
As I stand exposed, the feelings are felt
And I cry into the echo of my loneliness.
Who am I
To stand and wonder, to wait
While the wheels of fate
Slowly grind my life away.
Who am I ?
What a nothing I've made of life
The empty words, the coward's plight
To be pushed and passed from hand to hand
Never daring to speak, never daring to stand
And the emptiness of my family's eyes
Reminds me over and over of lies
And promises and deeds undone
And now again I want to run
But now there is nowhere to run to.
Who am I
To stand and wonder, to wait
While the wheels of fate
Slowly grind my life away.
Who am I ?
And now my friend we meet again and
We shall see which one will bend
Under the strain of death's golden eyes
Which one of us shall win the prize
To live and which one will die
'Tis I, my friend, yes 'tis I
Shall kill to live again and again
To clutch the throat of sweet revenge
For life is here only for the taking.
Who am I
To stand and wonder, to wait
While the wheels of fate
Slowly grind my life away.
Who am I ? Who am I ?
Who am I
To stand and wonder, to wait
While the wheels of fate
Slowly grind my life away.
Who am I ?
There were some things that I loved one time,
But the dreams are gone that I thought were mine,
And the hidden tears that once could fall
Now burn inside at the thought of all
The years of waste, the years of cryin'
The passions of a heart so blind;
To think that, but even still
As I stand exposed, the feelings are felt
And I cry into the echo of my loneliness.
Who am I
To stand and wonder, to wait
While the wheels of fate
Slowly grind my life away.
Who am I ?
What a nothing I've made of life
The empty words, the coward's plight
To be pushed and passed from hand to hand
Never daring to speak, never daring to stand
And the emptiness of my family's eyes
Reminds me over and over of lies
And promises and deeds undone
And now again I want to run
But now there is nowhere to run to.
Who am I
To stand and wonder, to wait
While the wheels of fate
Slowly grind my life away.
Who am I ?
And now my friend we meet again and
We shall see which one will bend
Under the strain of death's golden eyes
Which one of us shall win the prize
To live and which one will die
'Tis I, my friend, yes 'tis I
Shall kill to live again and again
To clutch the throat of sweet revenge
For life is here only for the taking.
Who am I
To stand and wonder, to wait
While the wheels of fate
Slowly grind my life away.
Who am I ? Who am I ?
Lyrics submitted by Nelly
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