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.
This old grey dog was born to run
Now he's on the floor
Where he sleeps all day
But that's alright
'Cause he's dreaming of the days
When he could fly
This old grey dog has had his day
Now he'll have his night
Ah, but that's ok, that's alright
'Cause he's dreaming of the days
When he could fly
Down, boy
You're too old to be jumping for joy
Turn your eyes to me
So clouded they barely can see
That you've grown
Much older than dogs get to be
Come and take just one last walk with me
This old grey dog was born to run
Now he's on the floor
Where he sleeps all day
That's alright
Cause he's dreaming of the days
When he could fly
Down, boy
You're too old to be jumping for joy
Turn your eyes to me
So clouded they barely can see
That you've grown
(Even tie you)
Much older than dogs get to be
(Even tie you)
Come and take this one last walk with me
We could not even tie you up
(We could not even tie you up)
This is the place where the old ones go
When we know there is no choice
Don't be afraid to die alone
I made sure to bring your toys
You are the last I'd ever kill
Unless I believed what I believe will
Be the way for no more pain, a lesser evil
(Evil)
(Evil)
(Evil)
Now he sleeps all day
But that's alright
'Cause he's dreaming of the days
When he could fly
Down, boy
You're too old to be jumping for joy
Turn your eyes to me
So clouded they barely can see
That you've grown
(Could not even tie you)
Much older than dogs get to be
(Even tie you)
Come and take just one last walk with me
We could not even tie you up
(Even tie you)
(Even tie you)
(Even tie you)
(Even tie you)
(We could not even tie you)
(We could not even tie you)
(We could not even tie you)
(We could not even tie you)
We could not even tie you up
Now he's on the floor
Where he sleeps all day
But that's alright
'Cause he's dreaming of the days
When he could fly
This old grey dog has had his day
Now he'll have his night
Ah, but that's ok, that's alright
'Cause he's dreaming of the days
When he could fly
Down, boy
You're too old to be jumping for joy
Turn your eyes to me
So clouded they barely can see
That you've grown
Much older than dogs get to be
Come and take just one last walk with me
This old grey dog was born to run
Now he's on the floor
Where he sleeps all day
That's alright
Cause he's dreaming of the days
When he could fly
Down, boy
You're too old to be jumping for joy
Turn your eyes to me
So clouded they barely can see
That you've grown
(Even tie you)
Much older than dogs get to be
(Even tie you)
Come and take this one last walk with me
We could not even tie you up
(We could not even tie you up)
This is the place where the old ones go
When we know there is no choice
Don't be afraid to die alone
I made sure to bring your toys
You are the last I'd ever kill
Unless I believed what I believe will
Be the way for no more pain, a lesser evil
(Evil)
(Evil)
(Evil)
Now he sleeps all day
But that's alright
'Cause he's dreaming of the days
When he could fly
Down, boy
You're too old to be jumping for joy
Turn your eyes to me
So clouded they barely can see
That you've grown
(Could not even tie you)
Much older than dogs get to be
(Even tie you)
Come and take just one last walk with me
We could not even tie you up
(Even tie you)
(Even tie you)
(Even tie you)
(Even tie you)
(We could not even tie you)
(We could not even tie you)
(We could not even tie you)
(We could not even tie you)
We could not even tie you up
Lyrics submitted by Sess
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I just lost my first family pet dog last week. She we with me for 12 strong years but her last months were progressively more painful. My dog was a Husky and reading these lyrics - Was born to run... Now he sleeps all day, etc... Is really stirring some emotion in me. Unfortunately my dog passed on in our home before we got a chance to take her to a vet and have her put down (she got very sick on her last day when no vets were open, then she had a heart attack around 4 A.M.) I noticed in the final months of my dog's life where she was having a hard time getting around that she was starting to lose the will to live, I like to think she was dreaming of the days when she could fly as well. :)
Thanks to 3 for coming up with so many great songs, this band has my full support. Whenever this song used to play before my dog died I was really sad and dwelling on the fact that she had to pass some day, but now after the fact I'm filled with happier memories knowing that even animals can live a fulfilled life, given that all lives must end, I'm glad she enjoyed quite a majority of hers.