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.
Next time out to sea bring enough soil to bury me
For I don't want my final jig in the belly of a squid
Next time out to sea bring enough soil to bury me
For I don't want my final jig in the belly of a squid
Take my trousers take my shirt just give me that sweet dirt
For the water's cold and grim and I never did learn to swim
No her love never set me free so I set off for the ocean
Now in my dreams she comes to me whispering of peace
But I've known since the day that we sailed for santiago
Her dry embrace would kiss my face no never, no more
The sea is a cruel mistress
Yeah the sea is a cruel mistress
Many moons to the day that I threw her love away
Now every whale spouts, go to hell
As the wind laughs in my face
I've grown harder on the eyes and salty on the taste
My pride has gone with the wake as I wait a cold wet grave
I rose to the smell of a wet desert hell
And I thought to myself how'd I wind up in this jail
Till a voice called to me from deep within the sea
Dry your eyes my dear fisherman your ass belongs to me
The sea is a cruel mistress
Yeah the sea is a cruel mistress
The earth will rest my bones lord I know, lord I know
But I'll see you when I get home from the cold, yeah from the cold
No her love never set me free so I set off for the ocean
Now in my dreams she comes to me whispering of peace
But I've known since the day that we sailed for santiago
Her dry embrace would kiss my face no never, no more
The sea is a cruel mistress
The sea is a cruel mistress
Next time out to sea bring enough soil to bury me
For I don't want my final jig in the belly of a squid
Next time out to sea bring enough soil to bury me
For in my dreams she comes to me whispering of peace
Next time out to sea bring enough soil to bury me
For I don't want my final jig in the belly of a squid
For I don't want my final jig in the belly of a squid
Next time out to sea bring enough soil to bury me
For I don't want my final jig in the belly of a squid
Take my trousers take my shirt just give me that sweet dirt
For the water's cold and grim and I never did learn to swim
No her love never set me free so I set off for the ocean
Now in my dreams she comes to me whispering of peace
But I've known since the day that we sailed for santiago
Her dry embrace would kiss my face no never, no more
The sea is a cruel mistress
Yeah the sea is a cruel mistress
Many moons to the day that I threw her love away
Now every whale spouts, go to hell
As the wind laughs in my face
I've grown harder on the eyes and salty on the taste
My pride has gone with the wake as I wait a cold wet grave
I rose to the smell of a wet desert hell
And I thought to myself how'd I wind up in this jail
Till a voice called to me from deep within the sea
Dry your eyes my dear fisherman your ass belongs to me
The sea is a cruel mistress
Yeah the sea is a cruel mistress
The earth will rest my bones lord I know, lord I know
But I'll see you when I get home from the cold, yeah from the cold
No her love never set me free so I set off for the ocean
Now in my dreams she comes to me whispering of peace
But I've known since the day that we sailed for santiago
Her dry embrace would kiss my face no never, no more
The sea is a cruel mistress
The sea is a cruel mistress
Next time out to sea bring enough soil to bury me
For I don't want my final jig in the belly of a squid
Next time out to sea bring enough soil to bury me
For in my dreams she comes to me whispering of peace
Next time out to sea bring enough soil to bury me
For I don't want my final jig in the belly of a squid
Lyrics submitted by TheTruEmoKid
Cruel Mistress Lyrics as written by David R King Bridget A Regan
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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yet another song that makes me wanna jig. also reminds me of a tarantela everytime i hear it