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.
I. Her Man's Been Gone
Her man's been gone
For nearly a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here
Her man's been gone
For nigh on a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here
II. Crying Town
Down your street your crying is a well-known sound
Your street is very well known, right here in town
Your town is very famous for the little girl
Whose cries can be heard all around the world
III. We Have A Remedy
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
We have a remedy
You'll appreciate
No need to be so sad
He's only late
We'll bring you flowers and things
Help pass your time
We'll give him eagle's wings
Then he can fly to you
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
(spoken)
We have a remedy.
We have!
Little girl, why don't you stop your crying?
I'm gonna make you feel all right
IV. Ivor The Engine Driver
My name is Ivor
I'm an engine driver
I know him well
I know why you feel blue
Just 'cause he's late
Don't mean he'll never get through
He told me he loves you
He ain't no liar, I ain't either
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver
Please take a sweet
Come take a walk with me
We'll sort it out
Back at my place, maybe
It'll come right
You ain't no fool, I ain't either
So why not be nice to an old engine driver?
Better be nice to an old engine driver
Better be nice to an old engine driver
V. Soon Be Home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
Come on, old horse
Soon be home
Soon be home
Soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
We'll soon be home
Soon be home ...
VI. You Are Forgiven
Dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
I can't believe it
Do my eyes deceive me?
Am I back in your arms?
Away from all harm?
It's like a dream to be with you again
Can't believe that I'm with you again
I missed you and I must admit
I kissed a few and once did sit
On Ivor the Engine Driver's lap
And later with him, had a nap
You are forgiven, you are forgiven, you are forgiven ... (ad lib)
You are forgiven
Her man's been gone
For nearly a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here
Her man's been gone
For nigh on a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here
II. Crying Town
Down your street your crying is a well-known sound
Your street is very well known, right here in town
Your town is very famous for the little girl
Whose cries can be heard all around the world
III. We Have A Remedy
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
We have a remedy
You'll appreciate
No need to be so sad
He's only late
We'll bring you flowers and things
Help pass your time
We'll give him eagle's wings
Then he can fly to you
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
(spoken)
We have a remedy.
We have!
Little girl, why don't you stop your crying?
I'm gonna make you feel all right
IV. Ivor The Engine Driver
My name is Ivor
I'm an engine driver
I know him well
I know why you feel blue
Just 'cause he's late
Don't mean he'll never get through
He told me he loves you
He ain't no liar, I ain't either
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver
Please take a sweet
Come take a walk with me
We'll sort it out
Back at my place, maybe
It'll come right
You ain't no fool, I ain't either
So why not be nice to an old engine driver?
Better be nice to an old engine driver
Better be nice to an old engine driver
V. Soon Be Home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
Come on, old horse
Soon be home
Soon be home
Soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
We'll soon be home
Soon be home ...
VI. You Are Forgiven
Dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
I can't believe it
Do my eyes deceive me?
Am I back in your arms?
Away from all harm?
It's like a dream to be with you again
Can't believe that I'm with you again
I missed you and I must admit
I kissed a few and once did sit
On Ivor the Engine Driver's lap
And later with him, had a nap
You are forgiven, you are forgiven, you are forgiven ... (ad lib)
You are forgiven
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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I'm a big fan of the version used in the film Rushmore, and the album version (from A Quick One) is pretty solid as well.
Fantastic song. I love the story it tells, and the fact that The Who sang "cello, cello" instead of actually using cellos (I think a depleting budget had something to do with it) adds another quirky touch to the song.