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.
Demonstrate I was
Raised from the start
By a priest and
The maid on the part
Still I know what
To wear on my back
Michigan!
Ponshewaing!
Cadillac!
If I ever meant to go away
I was raised, I was raised
In the place, in the place
Still I often think of going back
To the farms, to the farms
Golden arms, golden arms
Start to remind me
If the lakes took
The place of the sea
If the cars drove themselves
Way to be!
Opposite to the trains moving in
Rivers run interstate, Michigan!
Still I never meant to go away
I was raised, I was raised
In the place, in the place
Still I often think of going back
To the farms, to the farms
Golden arms, golden arms
Tried to change the
Made in Michigan
I was raised, I was raised
In the place, in the place
Oh to remind me
Raised from the start
By a priest and
The maid on the part
Still I know what
To wear on my back
Michigan!
Ponshewaing!
Cadillac!
If I ever meant to go away
I was raised, I was raised
In the place, in the place
Still I often think of going back
To the farms, to the farms
Golden arms, golden arms
Start to remind me
If the lakes took
The place of the sea
If the cars drove themselves
Way to be!
Opposite to the trains moving in
Rivers run interstate, Michigan!
Still I never meant to go away
I was raised, I was raised
In the place, in the place
Still I often think of going back
To the farms, to the farms
Golden arms, golden arms
Tried to change the
Made in Michigan
I was raised, I was raised
In the place, in the place
Oh to remind me
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Great version of a great song,
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I definitely live in Michigan. Shout out to Sufjan. Amazing music.