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.
The elitist mob cometh with fury in their speech.
With bursting wallets flashing, they've assumed the right to teach.
There's a fire in the sky and the stake is immersed in flames.
I salute the man ignited for giving up all his change.
They're threatening you they're threatening me
Shall we call the ambulance!
They've threatened our lives with death!
(Show me your faith)
Let's stain their sharpened knives with voices raised and heads held high
We will not change tonight.
The serpent has beseeched me again the fruit is ripe for the feast.
But your fork-tongued gluttony has convinced me not to eat.
Compromise is what you want and it's everything we won't give.
So we answer, "don't insult us! if you tell us that it's do or die, we chose death!"
Call the ambulance!
They've threatened our lives with death!
(Show me your faith)
Let's stain their sharpened knives with voices raised and heads held high
We will not change tonight.
I promise you I'll never change.
I'd die before I'd ever change for you.
It's do or die time
It's do or die time
It's do or die time
It's do or die time
I promise you I'll never change.
The truth of life can't be missed: I've felt it in his wrists (show me your faith).
Let's stain their sharpened knives with voices raised and heads held high
We will not change! I'd die before I'd ever change tonight.
With bursting wallets flashing, they've assumed the right to teach.
There's a fire in the sky and the stake is immersed in flames.
I salute the man ignited for giving up all his change.
They're threatening you they're threatening me
Shall we call the ambulance!
They've threatened our lives with death!
(Show me your faith)
Let's stain their sharpened knives with voices raised and heads held high
We will not change tonight.
The serpent has beseeched me again the fruit is ripe for the feast.
But your fork-tongued gluttony has convinced me not to eat.
Compromise is what you want and it's everything we won't give.
So we answer, "don't insult us! if you tell us that it's do or die, we chose death!"
Call the ambulance!
They've threatened our lives with death!
(Show me your faith)
Let's stain their sharpened knives with voices raised and heads held high
We will not change tonight.
I promise you I'll never change.
I'd die before I'd ever change for you.
It's do or die time
It's do or die time
It's do or die time
It's do or die time
I promise you I'll never change.
The truth of life can't be missed: I've felt it in his wrists (show me your faith).
Let's stain their sharpened knives with voices raised and heads held high
We will not change! I'd die before I'd ever change tonight.
Lyrics submitted by *sigh*beautiful
Do or Die Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
"Our culture often chooses to believe whatever the wealthy or powerful tell us to believe. Why is this? They have no more insight into reality than anyone else. In fact, most have less. I wrote this thinking of Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the people who turn their noses up at particular faith choices. Sadly, their influence is often enough to convince many that they shouldn’t be following those beliefs either. Stand up for what you believe in such a way that you would be willing to die for those convictions." - Darin Keim (Staple)
@knocloo27 Thanks for your helpful quotes! :)