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.
No, no, mama, now devil done do-si-do
Two young boys lyindead by the side of the road
And the coins in their eyes represent the money they owe
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
Louisiana bayou
Sweet girl, daddy done beat that girl like he's insane
Brother can't watch him beat that girl down again
So late one night cookin' up with a couple of friends
Swears his daddy never gonna see another day
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) bring down a saint
No, no, mama, the devil done do-si-do
See two young boys lying dead by side of the road
Shame shame
Oh its a shame to lose your way running wild
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines (shame shame)
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh it's a shame to lose your
Money on the bed, but you ain't got to go
Sold your soul just tryin to get over low
No empty pocket gonna keep you from gettin yours
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou)
No, no, mama, trying devil done do-si-do
Two young boys lying dead by the side of the road
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to get with the pain
See there's nowhere to go
Louisiana bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Troubles do it again
Same old sold story again (Louisiana bayou)
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the aine
Oh it's a shame to lose your way running wild (same old story again)
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh (same old story again) it's a shame to lose your?
Down by the bayou
Louisiana bayou?
Louisiana bayou?
Two young boys lyindead by the side of the road
And the coins in their eyes represent the money they owe
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
Louisiana bayou
Sweet girl, daddy done beat that girl like he's insane
Brother can't watch him beat that girl down again
So late one night cookin' up with a couple of friends
Swears his daddy never gonna see another day
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) bring down a saint
No, no, mama, the devil done do-si-do
See two young boys lying dead by side of the road
Shame shame
Oh its a shame to lose your way running wild
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines (shame shame)
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh it's a shame to lose your
Money on the bed, but you ain't got to go
Sold your soul just tryin to get over low
No empty pocket gonna keep you from gettin yours
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou)
No, no, mama, trying devil done do-si-do
Two young boys lying dead by the side of the road
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to get with the pain
See there's nowhere to go
Louisiana bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Troubles do it again
Same old sold story again (Louisiana bayou)
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the aine
Oh it's a shame to lose your way running wild (same old story again)
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh (same old story again) it's a shame to lose your?
Down by the bayou
Louisiana bayou?
Louisiana bayou?
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I agree with Ogrods on this one. To me it's pretty clear that it's about cocaine.