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.
Those chariots, racing your run, autographing flooded slums.
Those chariots, they never sleep, chased you down a lilac's lung.
Rat rider!
Rat rider!
Rat tails just sprout from your scalp.
Those chariots, they're closing in, made your wife from diesel fumes.
Those chariots with megaphones threw a bachelor party for you.
Rat rider!
Rat rider!
Soaked fur just dyes our dirty talk.
Every fang is polished gag-colored green like a sun so sick it only shines when it sinks.
Your mother's tethered to the tv set.
Your father's doing push-ups in the driveway again.
We want a coupon for a discount dream.
We want a forest just like a museum where the leaves are priceless antiques,
Memorabilia from a century kidnapped by grief.
Rat rider!
C'mon, rat rider!
Those chariots stamp their ID on disappointment's sobbing chords.
Those chariots trampled new filth on fantasies you can't afford.
Rat rider!
Rat rider!
Cold claws just ransacked your pockets.
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this is by far one of my favorite blood brothers songs of all time. the whole era and mental environment this song builds at first listen creates a huge complex vision in my head that i cant even describe. the awesome-ness is overwhelming and oh my god.
now on to my interpretation. i think the 'chariots' are maybe drugs of some sort? they race your run, maybe its speed, they kinda go for you, live your life, control it. they autograph everythign for the kids and you dont even know whats going on because youre fucked up on drugs? and they deal with your wife and everything. and the rat rider is shit i dotn fucking know. i just htink its about something that controls your life, or controls what you want and imagination. idk. there. run with it. any otehr ideas? i suck.