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.
It's not exactly hide-and-seek
But here's the game that I must play
I don't wish to participate
But in this matter I've no say
You see some rich guy took my baby
And he blinded her with diamond rings
Now the pain such that my heart stings
If only I had been much kinder
Did the very best I could
I do not have a lot of money
This I thought she understood
I know the young girls can be led away
By pretty things and pet desires
Now I must go and bring her back
And quench this newly kindled fire
Well I'm down to my last dollar
But I'm gonna find her anyway
I thought I saw her goin' east
While headin' west yesterday
Perhaps she's come back to her senses
And decided to come back to stay
Now I must go and bring her back
If it takes until my dyin' day
Bring her back
Bring her back
Bring her back
Bring her back
Bring her back
Bring her back
Now I must go and bring her back
If it takes until my dyin' day
Now I must go and bring her back
If it takes until my dyin' day
But here's the game that I must play
I don't wish to participate
But in this matter I've no say
You see some rich guy took my baby
And he blinded her with diamond rings
Now the pain such that my heart stings
If only I had been much kinder
Did the very best I could
I do not have a lot of money
This I thought she understood
I know the young girls can be led away
By pretty things and pet desires
Now I must go and bring her back
And quench this newly kindled fire
Well I'm down to my last dollar
But I'm gonna find her anyway
I thought I saw her goin' east
While headin' west yesterday
Perhaps she's come back to her senses
And decided to come back to stay
Now I must go and bring her back
If it takes until my dyin' day
Bring her back
Bring her back
Bring her back
Bring her back
Bring her back
Bring her back
Now I must go and bring her back
If it takes until my dyin' day
Now I must go and bring her back
If it takes until my dyin' day
Lyrics submitted by OmegaTLE
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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