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.
Why did you leave me all alone?
Why didn't you tell me you were going home?
Everything changes now you're gone
Making me wonder how to carry on
Over and over you gave to me
I wish I had told you what you meant to me
Why does it always have to end?
Losing a loved one is so hard
Oh my Lord, is it right?
By the light of the darkest night
You're never gonna see, you're never gonna see me crying
Where's the warmth of the sun?
Was there something that I should have done?
Oh, why'd you have to leave
Oh, why'd you have to leave me crying?
What I would give just to hear you laugh
But all I have left is just a photograph
Oh, to have known you all those years
I wish I had known how, how to dry your tears
Everything matters when you're young
Everything shatters when the day is done
Everything falters in the end
Losing a loved one is so hard
Oh my Lord, is it right?
By the light of the darkest night
You're never gonna see, you're never gonna see me crying
Oh, where's the warmth of the sun?
Was there something that I should have done?
Oh, why'd you have to leave
Oh, why'd you have to leave me crying?
Oh my Lord, is it right?
By the light of the darkest night
You're never gonna see, you're never gonna see me crying
Oh, where's the warmth of the sun?
Was there something that I could have done?
Oh, why'd you have to leave
Oh, why'd you have to leave me crying?
So many feelings rushing in
It's too late for thinking how it could have been
Who knows the reason, was meant to be
It's gonna be lonely, will you wait for me?
Why didn't you tell me you were going home?
Everything changes now you're gone
Making me wonder how to carry on
Over and over you gave to me
I wish I had told you what you meant to me
Why does it always have to end?
Losing a loved one is so hard
Oh my Lord, is it right?
By the light of the darkest night
You're never gonna see, you're never gonna see me crying
Where's the warmth of the sun?
Was there something that I should have done?
Oh, why'd you have to leave
Oh, why'd you have to leave me crying?
What I would give just to hear you laugh
But all I have left is just a photograph
Oh, to have known you all those years
I wish I had known how, how to dry your tears
Everything matters when you're young
Everything shatters when the day is done
Everything falters in the end
Losing a loved one is so hard
Oh my Lord, is it right?
By the light of the darkest night
You're never gonna see, you're never gonna see me crying
Oh, where's the warmth of the sun?
Was there something that I should have done?
Oh, why'd you have to leave
Oh, why'd you have to leave me crying?
Oh my Lord, is it right?
By the light of the darkest night
You're never gonna see, you're never gonna see me crying
Oh, where's the warmth of the sun?
Was there something that I could have done?
Oh, why'd you have to leave
Oh, why'd you have to leave me crying?
So many feelings rushing in
It's too late for thinking how it could have been
Who knows the reason, was meant to be
It's gonna be lonely, will you wait for me?
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I think it's safe to say that "Puppet Dance" is about the tragedy of losing a loved one. There are so many questions one asks oneself following the death of someone who's held dear, and this song really captures that.
"Why'd you have to leave me?" "Oh my Lord, is it right?" (Did he/she have to die?) "Was there something that I could have done?"
I get the feeling that Hodgson must have lost someone he loved very dearly in order to write a song with as much meaning and emotion as this one.