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.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
Come on try and tell me what you're talkin' about
Those things you're dealing with, you're living a lie
Every time I see you it makes me wanna cry
Sometimes we laughed and talked, seems like yesterday
Then you let the white horse come and take you away
They came to get you, it was cold and black
The wheels were in motion, there was no turning back
Runnin' from an angel, runnin' to the devil, devil, yeah
Runnin' from an angel, runnin' to the devil
I gave up on you a long time ago
But there's something I want you to know
Your lyin' and cheatin' really tore us apart
Please don't come home if you're gonna break my momma's heart
Runnin' from an angel, runnin' to the devil, devil, yeah
Runnin' from an angel, runnin' to the devil
Runnin', runnin', runnin', yeah
Don't make me cry again, no, no, oh
Love that stayin' by
Love that you make me cry
You're runnin', you're runnin'
You're runnin', runnin, runnin', runnin'
Oh no, oh no, no, no, no, no, no
Runnin' from an angel
Runnin' to the devil, devil, devil, devil
Runnin' from an angel
Time is singing by, time you made me cry, oh, oh
You'll do what you gotta do, I still love you
Come on try and tell me what you're talkin' about
Those things you're dealing with, you're living a lie
Every time I see you it makes me wanna cry
Sometimes we laughed and talked, seems like yesterday
Then you let the white horse come and take you away
They came to get you, it was cold and black
The wheels were in motion, there was no turning back
Runnin' from an angel, runnin' to the devil, devil, yeah
Runnin' from an angel, runnin' to the devil
I gave up on you a long time ago
But there's something I want you to know
Your lyin' and cheatin' really tore us apart
Please don't come home if you're gonna break my momma's heart
Runnin' from an angel, runnin' to the devil, devil, yeah
Runnin' from an angel, runnin' to the devil
Runnin', runnin', runnin', yeah
Don't make me cry again, no, no, oh
Love that stayin' by
Love that you make me cry
You're runnin', you're runnin'
You're runnin', runnin, runnin', runnin'
Oh no, oh no, no, no, no, no, no
Runnin' from an angel
Runnin' to the devil, devil, devil, devil
Runnin' from an angel
Time is singing by, time you made me cry, oh, oh
You'll do what you gotta do, I still love you
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Plastic Bag
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This one is about the one he loved, who always seemed to betray him. I think it broke his heart to have this happen, but he still loves her. He just doesn't want her to come back if she's going to break his heart again.