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 one's about a dream
I had last night
How an old man tracked me home
And stepped inside
Put his foot inside the door
And gave a crooked smile
Something in his eyes
Something in his laugh
Something in his voice
That made my skin crawl off
He said I've seen you here before
I know your name
Yeah, you could have your pick
Of pretty things
You could have it all
Everything at once
Everything you've seen
Everything you'll need
Everything you've ever had in fantasies
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to leave
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to leave
I woke up from my dream
As a golden man
With a girl I've never seen
With golden skin
I jumped up to my feet
And she asked me what was wrong
And I began to scream
I don't think this is me
Is this just a dream
Or really happening
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to leave
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to leave
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
I'm splitting up, I'm splitting up
This is my personal disaffection
What direction, what direction
What direction now
I looked outside the glass
At golden shores
Golden ships and masts
With golden cords
As my reflection passed
I hated what I saw
My golden eyes were dead
And a thought passed through my head
A heart that's made of gold can't really beat at all
I wanted to wake up again
I wanted to wake up again
Without a touch of gold
Without a touch of gold
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction
Death or action
Life begins at the intersection
What direction, what direction
What direction now
I woke up as before
But the gold was gone
My wife was at the door
With her night robe on
My heart beat once or twice
And life flooded my veins
Everything had changed
My lungs had found their voice
And what was once routine
Was now the perfect joy
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to lead
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to lead
I had last night
How an old man tracked me home
And stepped inside
Put his foot inside the door
And gave a crooked smile
Something in his eyes
Something in his laugh
Something in his voice
That made my skin crawl off
He said I've seen you here before
I know your name
Yeah, you could have your pick
Of pretty things
You could have it all
Everything at once
Everything you've seen
Everything you'll need
Everything you've ever had in fantasies
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to leave
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to leave
I woke up from my dream
As a golden man
With a girl I've never seen
With golden skin
I jumped up to my feet
And she asked me what was wrong
And I began to scream
I don't think this is me
Is this just a dream
Or really happening
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to leave
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to leave
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
I'm splitting up, I'm splitting up
This is my personal disaffection
What direction, what direction
What direction now
I looked outside the glass
At golden shores
Golden ships and masts
With golden cords
As my reflection passed
I hated what I saw
My golden eyes were dead
And a thought passed through my head
A heart that's made of gold can't really beat at all
I wanted to wake up again
I wanted to wake up again
Without a touch of gold
Without a touch of gold
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction, what direction
What direction
Death or action
Life begins at the intersection
What direction, what direction
What direction now
I woke up as before
But the gold was gone
My wife was at the door
With her night robe on
My heart beat once or twice
And life flooded my veins
Everything had changed
My lungs had found their voice
And what was once routine
Was now the perfect joy
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to lead
You have one life, you have one life
You have one life left to lead
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Something that also should be considered is that the song could be describing the temptations of fame that goes with being a rock star. Waking up next to the girl he's never seen, golden ships, etc. The intersection could be when the band reaches a certain amount of fame where they are making money and those things are available, do they follow that path or stay true to their Christian beliefs? In the end, he decides that just because he has the money and could live that kind of life, it wouldn't make him happy. That's another but not the only interpretation.