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.
Fountains and fluorescent lights.
When season has come
The snowbirds have crowded the nights.
And old townies are tired
Of the beaches and bars
Being packed so tight.
And bridges, and traffic, and inlets,
Are locked in their fight.
And on these boats,
Ride the hopes of working class boys,
Dreaming of girls, from far away points.
And better things. Like winter flings.
And longing after spring has sprung.
And they fly north when winter's done.
And we get burned in summer's sun.
Fountains and fluorescent lights.
When season has come
The snowbirds have crowded the nights.
And young townies and tourists
Find unlikely love at first sight.
And swear that they're never leaving
And that is their plight.
This winter is lasting forever,
At least for tonight.
And I know that you're never leaving,
Until your flight,
Takes you off,
And out of my arms,
And into the air,
So far from your charms,
That I can not bare,
Another year,
In this long forgotten beach town,
We once shared.
This winter is lasting forever,
At least for tonight.
And I know that you're never
Leaving me again.
No, not again.
When season has come
The snowbirds have crowded the nights.
And old townies are tired
Of the beaches and bars
Being packed so tight.
And bridges, and traffic, and inlets,
Are locked in their fight.
And on these boats,
Ride the hopes of working class boys,
Dreaming of girls, from far away points.
And better things. Like winter flings.
And longing after spring has sprung.
And they fly north when winter's done.
And we get burned in summer's sun.
Fountains and fluorescent lights.
When season has come
The snowbirds have crowded the nights.
And young townies and tourists
Find unlikely love at first sight.
And swear that they're never leaving
And that is their plight.
This winter is lasting forever,
At least for tonight.
And I know that you're never leaving,
Until your flight,
Takes you off,
And out of my arms,
And into the air,
So far from your charms,
That I can not bare,
Another year,
In this long forgotten beach town,
We once shared.
This winter is lasting forever,
At least for tonight.
And I know that you're never
Leaving me again.
No, not again.
Lyrics submitted by ScreamingInfidelity
Snowbirds and Townies Lyrics as written by Christopher Andrew Carrabba Chad J. Neptune
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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hey morepunk, you have it backwards, chris lived in connecticut as a kid and moved to florida when he was a teenager. the townies stay and the snowbirds leave. in florida, the people who live there called the winter tourists snowbirds, because to the florida people, it's cold compared to the summer, this is usually directed to the tourists who will swim during the winter months. that is what this entire song is about, no one died, it just that in florida all these snowbirds come during the winter, have flings, leave the townies there so they burn in the sun and think of their winter flings. it is that simple, there's nothing more to this controversy. this is an absolutely beautiful song and i can't wait to see fsf on november 2nd!