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.
Staring back at you, did you see my lips
or were you smiling right in front of me?
Your father called my name,
then he smiled with great relief
'cause it wasn't me you were clinging to.
He made you turn around, you do that thing you do
and then you laughed with me.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know but I'm makin' time to call.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know, but she's watching me leave.
Just wish they'd turn around, just wish they'd try to see,
but they don't understand and that's alright with me,
I'm leaving now.
Going down to Tucker's Town where I can lie for free,
nobody stares at me and I'd live to hurt the population.
She called last night; I said I'm about to leave.
Then I heard him scream, "I'll pack your bags."
'Cause I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know but I'm makin' time to call.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know, but I'm leaving here
to see the world through your rosy glasses.
I'll teach her to fly, but they teach greed.
We live the belt, but I can bleed.
I don't know what I can't see.
I don't know what I can't see.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know. I don't know.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know. I don't know.
or were you smiling right in front of me?
Your father called my name,
then he smiled with great relief
'cause it wasn't me you were clinging to.
He made you turn around, you do that thing you do
and then you laughed with me.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know but I'm makin' time to call.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know, but she's watching me leave.
Just wish they'd turn around, just wish they'd try to see,
but they don't understand and that's alright with me,
I'm leaving now.
Going down to Tucker's Town where I can lie for free,
nobody stares at me and I'd live to hurt the population.
She called last night; I said I'm about to leave.
Then I heard him scream, "I'll pack your bags."
'Cause I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know but I'm makin' time to call.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know, but I'm leaving here
to see the world through your rosy glasses.
I'll teach her to fly, but they teach greed.
We live the belt, but I can bleed.
I don't know what I can't see.
I don't know what I can't see.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know. I don't know.
I don't know (I don't know.)
what I can't see. (I can't see.)
I don't know. I don't know.
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i think it means that her dad is happy because she is not with him anymore. but she wants to be with him. and her dad is forcing her to stay away from the one she loves.