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.
Could've been a swan on a glassy lake
Could've been a gull in a clipper's wake
Could've been a ladybug on a wind chime
But she was born a dragonfly
In the sun she warmed her wings
And listened to the cicadas sing
"The trees are all bending
In one direction
Because of something"
Cross-pollination by the legs of bees in the spring
Is a beautiful thing
Oh when the sun goes down
The fireflies come out
In a pond crept a slimy thing
That hummed a theme from the Rites of Spring
Pity the mate of Queen Mantis
So content, but so headless
Katy did nothing but shiver and cry
As did the dragonfly
In the shade the gypsies spin
Among the cloves, they drop their skin
"Beyond the hedge grove
Over by the willows
Deep in the shadows"
Regeneration occurs at a furious speed
Beneath the white oak tree
And when the sun comes up
Moon buds fold up
In the sun she warmed her wings
And listened to the Rites of Spring
Could've been a swan on a glassy lake
Could've been a gull in a clipper's wake
Could've been a ladybug on a wind chime
But she was born a dragonfly
"Ain't ever seen it, but I have heard it
Sounds like the millstones when they are turning
But every moment getting louder and louder
And then there is silence
And the smell of flowers"
Could've been a gull in a clipper's wake
Could've been a ladybug on a wind chime
But she was born a dragonfly
In the sun she warmed her wings
And listened to the cicadas sing
"The trees are all bending
In one direction
Because of something"
Cross-pollination by the legs of bees in the spring
Is a beautiful thing
Oh when the sun goes down
The fireflies come out
In a pond crept a slimy thing
That hummed a theme from the Rites of Spring
Pity the mate of Queen Mantis
So content, but so headless
Katy did nothing but shiver and cry
As did the dragonfly
In the shade the gypsies spin
Among the cloves, they drop their skin
"Beyond the hedge grove
Over by the willows
Deep in the shadows"
Regeneration occurs at a furious speed
Beneath the white oak tree
And when the sun comes up
Moon buds fold up
In the sun she warmed her wings
And listened to the Rites of Spring
Could've been a swan on a glassy lake
Could've been a gull in a clipper's wake
Could've been a ladybug on a wind chime
But she was born a dragonfly
"Ain't ever seen it, but I have heard it
Sounds like the millstones when they are turning
But every moment getting louder and louder
And then there is silence
And the smell of flowers"
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"Katy did nothing but shiver and cry, As did the dragonfly. "