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.
I learned how to write it
When I first started school
Some bully didn't like it,
He said it didn't sound too cool
So I had to hit him
And all I said when the blood came
It's my last name
Grandpa took it off to Europe
To fight the Germans in the war
It came back on some dog tags
Nobody wears no more
It's written on a headstone
In the field where he was slain
It's my last name
Passed down from generations
Too far back to trace
I can see all my relations
When I look into my face
May never make it famous
But I'll never bring it shame
It's my last name
Daddy always told me far back as I recall
Son, you're part of somethin',
You represent us all
So keep it how you got it, as solid as it came
It's my last name
Passed down from generations
Too far back to trace
I can see all my relations
When I look into my face
May never make it famous
But I'll never bring it shame
It's my last name
So darlin' if you're wonderin'
Why I've got you here tonight
I want to be your husband, I want you to be my wife
I ain't got much to give you
But what I've got means everything
It's my last name
Oh, it's my last name
I learned how to write it
When I first started school
When I first started school
Some bully didn't like it,
He said it didn't sound too cool
So I had to hit him
And all I said when the blood came
It's my last name
Grandpa took it off to Europe
To fight the Germans in the war
It came back on some dog tags
Nobody wears no more
It's written on a headstone
In the field where he was slain
It's my last name
Passed down from generations
Too far back to trace
I can see all my relations
When I look into my face
May never make it famous
But I'll never bring it shame
It's my last name
Daddy always told me far back as I recall
Son, you're part of somethin',
You represent us all
So keep it how you got it, as solid as it came
It's my last name
Passed down from generations
Too far back to trace
I can see all my relations
When I look into my face
May never make it famous
But I'll never bring it shame
It's my last name
So darlin' if you're wonderin'
Why I've got you here tonight
I want to be your husband, I want you to be my wife
I ain't got much to give you
But what I've got means everything
It's my last name
Oh, it's my last name
I learned how to write it
When I first started school
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This is an awesome song about remembering where you came from. And being damn proud of it.