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.
A court is in session, a verdict is in
No appeal on the docket today
Just my own sin
The walls are cold and pale
The cage made of steel
Screams fill the room
Alone I drop and kneel
Silence now the sound
My breath the only motion around
Demons cluttering around
My face showing no emotion
Shackled by my sentence
Expecting no return
Here there is no penance
My skin begins to burn
(And I said oh) so I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
I hear a thunder in the distance
See a vision of a cross
I feel the pain that was given
On that sad day of loss
A lion roars in the darkness
Only he holds the key
A light to free me from my burden
And grant me life eternally
Should have been dead
On a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time
Should have been dead
On a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time
(And I said oh) so I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison
I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison
(And I said oh) so I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
(And I said oh) so I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) we're held captive (I created)
Out from the sun (I created)
A sun that shines on only some (I created)
We the meek are all in one (I created my own prison)
Should've been dead on a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time
No appeal on the docket today
Just my own sin
The walls are cold and pale
The cage made of steel
Screams fill the room
Alone I drop and kneel
Silence now the sound
My breath the only motion around
Demons cluttering around
My face showing no emotion
Shackled by my sentence
Expecting no return
Here there is no penance
My skin begins to burn
(And I said oh) so I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
I hear a thunder in the distance
See a vision of a cross
I feel the pain that was given
On that sad day of loss
A lion roars in the darkness
Only he holds the key
A light to free me from my burden
And grant me life eternally
Should have been dead
On a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time
Should have been dead
On a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time
(And I said oh) so I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison
I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison
(And I said oh) so I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
(And I said oh) so I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) we're held captive (I created)
Out from the sun (I created)
A sun that shines on only some (I created)
We the meek are all in one (I created my own prison)
Should've been dead on a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time
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This song rocks. To the person wondering what it's all about... it's about a person trapped by their own mistakes (Created my own prison), their repentance ("alone i drop and kneel"), and realization that only Christ's sacrifice can help them escape. He's in prison, about to stand trial before God himself: "a court is in session, a verdict is in no appeal on the docket today just my own sin"
He then sees Christ's sacrifice... "i hear a thunder in the distance see a vision of a cross" i feel the pain that was given on that sad day of loss "i hear a thunder in the distance see a vision of a cross i feel the pain that was given on that sad day of loss "
Only Christ holds the key to his prison and death: "a lion roars in the darkness only he holds the key"
The lion is Christ. Christ defeated death and only he possesses the key.
"i cry out to god seeking only his decision"
Crying out to God; seeking forgiveness and release.
"gabriel stands and confirms ive created my own prison"
Gabriel is one of the highest angels, often a messenger of God. He confirms what the speaker most feared... that he has created an inescapable prison. The song ends before the speaker finds his release... perhaps he is still searching.