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.
I saw Abbie Hoffman's ghost in the distance,
We got Saul Williams keeping up the resistance.
And punk rock and blues music keep dying,
We keep buying.
Matt Stone and Trey Parker have taken over the mission,
Cause our politicians they don?t have a position.
Who?s to blame for this shallow existence?
Our existence.
We try and fight, but this wall's too high
Have we lost tonight?
But one second chance could change everything.
And I think I'll go write my senator a letter,
But they just talk shit they ain?t gonna make nothing better.
Me and Bev we ain't two birds of a feather,
Of a feather.
And I'm counting on Chomsky, McClellan,
Aldous Huxley and the intelligencia.
Well Cat Stevens he got out and he ain?t missin? ya
And this overpriced and candy coated life, does it fit ya?
Does it fit ya?
We try and fight, but this wall's too high
Have we lost tonight?
But one second chance could change everything.
These are bloody faces we hold in the fire.
Open up the gates, but I don't ask why.
These are bloody faces we hold in the fire, the fire, the fire, the fire.
And these are bloody faces we hold in the fire.
Open up the gates, I don't ask why.
These are bloody faces we hold in the fire, but it?s time, it?s time to sing.
We try and fight, but this wall's too high.
Have we lost tonight?
But one second chance could change everything, could change everything.
And these are bloody faces we hold in the fire.
Open up the gates, and I don't ask why (could change everything).
These are bloody faces we hold in the fire, but it's time, it?s time to sing.
Have we lost this fight?
We got Saul Williams keeping up the resistance.
And punk rock and blues music keep dying,
We keep buying.
Matt Stone and Trey Parker have taken over the mission,
Cause our politicians they don?t have a position.
Who?s to blame for this shallow existence?
Our existence.
We try and fight, but this wall's too high
Have we lost tonight?
But one second chance could change everything.
And I think I'll go write my senator a letter,
But they just talk shit they ain?t gonna make nothing better.
Me and Bev we ain't two birds of a feather,
Of a feather.
And I'm counting on Chomsky, McClellan,
Aldous Huxley and the intelligencia.
Well Cat Stevens he got out and he ain?t missin? ya
And this overpriced and candy coated life, does it fit ya?
Does it fit ya?
We try and fight, but this wall's too high
Have we lost tonight?
But one second chance could change everything.
These are bloody faces we hold in the fire.
Open up the gates, but I don't ask why.
These are bloody faces we hold in the fire, the fire, the fire, the fire.
And these are bloody faces we hold in the fire.
Open up the gates, I don't ask why.
These are bloody faces we hold in the fire, but it?s time, it?s time to sing.
We try and fight, but this wall's too high.
Have we lost tonight?
But one second chance could change everything, could change everything.
And these are bloody faces we hold in the fire.
Open up the gates, and I don't ask why (could change everything).
These are bloody faces we hold in the fire, but it's time, it?s time to sing.
Have we lost this fight?
Lyrics submitted by RileyLewis
One Second Chance Lyrics as written by Maida
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Pretty clear what the song is about: General dissatisfaction with the way politics works in general in modern times as well as how everyone is nearly powerless to change it.
i think "McClellan" is a mispronunciation of McCluhan (sorry if that's spelled wrong). He has talked before about how he studied Marshall McCluhan at U of T, and in other songs he mentions "The medium is the message" which is McCluhan's famous line. I am pretty sure he refers to the guy as McClellan though.
Sure about that one, Foram? There's also a Canadian politician Anne McLellan, and a George B. McClellan who fought for the Union during the American Civil War and is often criticized by modern historians for not taking any chances, and possibly dragging out the war 2-3 years longer than it needed to be.
I'm pretty sure it's not Anne Mclellan he is referring to, as she has not a whole lot to do with what he is talking about. He refers to Bev Oda though, the current Heritage Minister, who is basically bought off by the recording and copyright industry, who Raine fights against.
And it is definitely not referring to any American civil war soldiers, as the song has to do more about personal freedoms and political outrage than historical events. I would wager it is McCluhan pronounced a little differently while he was recording.
I find it pretty hilarious/awesome that he references Matt Stone and Trey Parker (the creators of South Park) as a major political force
Didn't know he was a fan of Saul Williams, and the Parker/Stone reference sickens me because they're 2 fucking idiots who are for some reason famous