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.
Cadence and Cascade
Kept a man named Jade
Cool in the shade
While his audience played
Purred, whispered, "Spend us too
We only serve for you"
Sliding mystified
On the wine of the tide
Stared pale-eyed
As his veil fell aside
Sad paper courtesan
They found him just a man
Caravan Hotel
Where the sequin spell fell
Custom of the game
Cadence oiled in love
Licked his velvet glov hand
Cascade kissed his name
Sad paper courtesan
They knew him just a man
Cadence and Cascade
Cadence and Cascade
Cadence
Kept a man named Jade
Cool in the shade
While his audience played
Purred, whispered, "Spend us too
We only serve for you"
Sliding mystified
On the wine of the tide
Stared pale-eyed
As his veil fell aside
Sad paper courtesan
They found him just a man
Caravan Hotel
Where the sequin spell fell
Custom of the game
Cadence oiled in love
Licked his velvet glov hand
Cascade kissed his name
Sad paper courtesan
They knew him just a man
Cadence and Cascade
Cadence and Cascade
Cadence
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Oh, I am dead sure it's about what I said. I used to be a poetaster and a musician too, and of course a Crimson fan of old. He uses "they knew him" in the biblical sense. "Caravan hotel" - the road life - bands travel in caravans, and the hotels take on a glam party theme ("Sequin spell") when the caravan pulls in. "Kissed his name" - groupies certainly do it for the fame association, the bigger the star, the better notch in the gun.
He has a song on "Islands" called "Ladies of the Road", which is more down to earth in approach.