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.
Momma was an opium-smoker
She light it with a red-hot poker
She would never take a bath
We would ask her - she'd just laugh
Because our momma was an opium-smoker
She made it with this gentleman, Lincoln
They met on a boat, it was sinking
When she shoulda gone overboard,
Momma say, "No way, oh my lord"
"Only of opium smoke am I thinkin'"
Oh help us Lord
We can't afford, her destructive ways
You oughtta hear what she says!
She would just sit on her fat ass
Yell at us, "Fill up my wine glass!"
She would tell us, "How sad"
"You won't never know your dad"
Oh yeah, my momma was an opium-smoker
She hide the money and the drugs in the mattress
I wonder, how long has she been at this?
And I say, "Mom, bang the gong"
"Can't you see, it's gone all wrong?"
Oh yeah, my momma was an opium-smoker
She light it with a red-hot poker
She would never take a bath
We would ask her - she'd just laugh
Because our momma was an opium-smoker
She made it with this gentleman, Lincoln
They met on a boat, it was sinking
When she shoulda gone overboard,
Momma say, "No way, oh my lord"
"Only of opium smoke am I thinkin'"
Oh help us Lord
We can't afford, her destructive ways
You oughtta hear what she says!
She would just sit on her fat ass
Yell at us, "Fill up my wine glass!"
She would tell us, "How sad"
"You won't never know your dad"
Oh yeah, my momma was an opium-smoker
She hide the money and the drugs in the mattress
I wonder, how long has she been at this?
And I say, "Mom, bang the gong"
"Can't you see, it's gone all wrong?"
Oh yeah, my momma was an opium-smoker
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Opium smokers were the same as Heroin addicts, but they were obviously classier.
you do realise you can smoke heroin or 'chase the dragon' maybe her mooma really wasa smack head cos this song dont make her sound that classy lol xx<br />