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.
Well, her letter came late, but late was better than never
She said she's finally reached the end of that man's tether
She said she's willing to run away and if I mean the things I say
Would I meet her tonight at the Black Spruce River
There's some people in town would like to know the reason
I've been hanging around here when there ain't no work this season
You can dress it up with lies but love can't be disguised
And the rumor mill still runs on the Black Spruce River
CHORUS
Oh, now darling darling everything's gonna be alright
Where the water runs wild and free, then I will hold you tight
Who's to say what's wrong or what is right
On the banks of the Black Spruce River
Well it's a rocky road that seems to wind forever
And its cold wind cuts threw this old coat of leather
But there's a fire that burns away, all fears of yesterday
And it warms me on my way to the Black Spruce River
CHORUS
I can see her car by the light of the half moon's cradle
By where the wooden bridge got washed away last April
I could see her behind the wheel
But there's something wrong with the windshield
And there's nothing moving but the cold, cold river
In a daze I walk with my headlight beam behind me
As I lift her lifeless body my tears did blind me
I never saw him taking aim
But I felt the searing pain
As we fell together in the Black Spruce River
CHORUS
She said she's finally reached the end of that man's tether
She said she's willing to run away and if I mean the things I say
Would I meet her tonight at the Black Spruce River
There's some people in town would like to know the reason
I've been hanging around here when there ain't no work this season
You can dress it up with lies but love can't be disguised
And the rumor mill still runs on the Black Spruce River
CHORUS
Oh, now darling darling everything's gonna be alright
Where the water runs wild and free, then I will hold you tight
Who's to say what's wrong or what is right
On the banks of the Black Spruce River
Well it's a rocky road that seems to wind forever
And its cold wind cuts threw this old coat of leather
But there's a fire that burns away, all fears of yesterday
And it warms me on my way to the Black Spruce River
CHORUS
I can see her car by the light of the half moon's cradle
By where the wooden bridge got washed away last April
I could see her behind the wheel
But there's something wrong with the windshield
And there's nothing moving but the cold, cold river
In a daze I walk with my headlight beam behind me
As I lift her lifeless body my tears did blind me
I never saw him taking aim
But I felt the searing pain
As we fell together in the Black Spruce River
CHORUS
Lyrics submitted by ruben
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