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.
Many the green isle need must be
in the sea of misery
Or the mariner who's so worn and wan
never thus could voyage on
Day and night, and night and day
always drifting on his dreary way
Always been drifting on his dreary way
closing round his vessel's track
When dreamers seem to be
weltering through eternity
And the dim low line before
of a so dark and distant shore
Still recedes ever still
longing with divided will
But no power to seek or stun
he's ever drifting on and on
Over the unresponding wave
to haven of the grave
What if there no friends will greet?
What if there no heart will ever meet?
Wandering wherso'er he may
can he dream before the day
To find refuge from distress
in friendship's smile and in love's caress
Many the green isles need must be
in the sea of misery
Or the mariner who's so worn and wan
never thus could voyage on
Ay, many flowerin' islands lie
in waters of wide agony
to such a one this morn was led
my bark by soft winds piloted
in the sea of misery
Or the mariner who's so worn and wan
never thus could voyage on
Day and night, and night and day
always drifting on his dreary way
Always been drifting on his dreary way
closing round his vessel's track
When dreamers seem to be
weltering through eternity
And the dim low line before
of a so dark and distant shore
Still recedes ever still
longing with divided will
But no power to seek or stun
he's ever drifting on and on
Over the unresponding wave
to haven of the grave
What if there no friends will greet?
What if there no heart will ever meet?
Wandering wherso'er he may
can he dream before the day
To find refuge from distress
in friendship's smile and in love's caress
Many the green isles need must be
in the sea of misery
Or the mariner who's so worn and wan
never thus could voyage on
Ay, many flowerin' islands lie
in waters of wide agony
to such a one this morn was led
my bark by soft winds piloted
Lyrics submitted by Kworb
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