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.
5:15
I'm changing trains
This little town
Let me down
This foreign rain
Brings me down
5:15
Train overdue
Angels have gone
No ticket
I'm jumping tracks
I'm changing towns
We never talk anymore
Forever I will adore you
5:15
All of my life
Angels have gone
I'm changing trains
Angels like them
Thin on the ground
All of my life
All legs and wings
Strange sandy eyes
5:15
Train overdue
Angels have gone
We never talk anymore
Forever I will adore you
Cold station
All of my life
Forever I'm out here forever
I'm changing trains
This little town
Let me down
This foreign rain
Brings me down
5:15
Train overdue
Angels have gone
No ticket
I'm jumping tracks
I'm changing towns
We never talk anymore
Forever I will adore you
5:15
All of my life
Angels have gone
I'm changing trains
Angels like them
Thin on the ground
All of my life
All legs and wings
Strange sandy eyes
5:15
Train overdue
Angels have gone
We never talk anymore
Forever I will adore you
Cold station
All of my life
Forever I'm out here forever
Lyrics submitted by AgathaKavka, edited by kerrylee69
5.15 the Angels Have Gone Lyrics as written by David Bowie
Lyrics © TINTORETTO MUSIC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
5 years...tvc 1 5... 5:15
@williamd16 BTW: David wrote the song at 55 years old!
It sounds to me he's ended a relationship and left town, trying to make a new life and move on. He's gone from place to place, but nothing is working. Even though they don't speak anymore, deep down he wants to be with her again, and she'll be forever in his heart
@ThisAlien\'sInLoveWithYou
the last line is: "forever im out here forever"
this song is my life... so alone, but hiding it...
I love travelling songs, songs that talk about packing up and leaving the life you have now. When David Bowie sings songs like these. . .well! My excitement just knows no bounds.
I've never really thought about the lyrics, but I really adore this song, it's one of my favorites on Heathen.
This is one of my favorite songs ever. The way I see it is that all of his life he's been searching, but he's never found a place where he can just stay and be happy, and he's realizing that it's because he left her behind.
I pretty sure 5.15 part is a reference to The Who's song "5:15" I don't remember much of what's the song is about except that a guy takes a train to somewhere. What that song has to do with this one is beyond me.
Beautiful song. My favorite off of Heathen.
And I believe that line, "shrinks in the ice," is actually "strange sandy eyes."
It is definitely 'strange sandy eyes'. It is very clear in this live performance. youtube.com/watch
BTW: David wrote the song at 55 years old!!!!!