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.
Oh they call me Hangin' Johnny
Away, boys, away
But I never hanged nobody
And it's hang, boys, hang
Well, first I hanged me mother
Away, boys, away
Me sister and me brother
And it's hang, boys, hang
Well, next I hanged me granny
Aawy, boys, away
Well, I'd hang the holy family
And its hang, boys, hang
Well I never hangs for money
Away, boys, away
It's just that hangin's so bloody funny
And it's hang, boys, hang
Oh they calls me Hangin' Johnny
Away, boys, away
But I never hanged nobody
And it's hang, boys, hang
Away, boys, away
But I never hanged nobody
And it's hang, boys, hang
Well, first I hanged me mother
Away, boys, away
Me sister and me brother
And it's hang, boys, hang
Well, next I hanged me granny
Aawy, boys, away
Well, I'd hang the holy family
And its hang, boys, hang
Well I never hangs for money
Away, boys, away
It's just that hangin's so bloody funny
And it's hang, boys, hang
Oh they calls me Hangin' Johnny
Away, boys, away
But I never hanged nobody
And it's hang, boys, hang
Lyrics submitted by MyAntiDrugIsSuicide
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My best guess is it's about painting and "hanging" the paintings. Any other guesses?
I think it's about, er..you know? Like.."flagging the mule" or "choking the chicken". I dunno, maybe I'm wrong, probably.