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.
Well, I hear that train a comin'
Comin' around the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since I don't know when
And I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I'm bound to stay and die
And when I hear the lonesome whistle
I hang my head down and cry
Well, now when I was a baby
My momma told me, "Son,
Always be a good boy
Don't you ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
And when I hear the lonesome whistle
I hang my head down and cry
Well, now if I was a railroad
If that old freight train was mine
I think I'd get it moving
Just a little down the line
But I knew I had it comin'
I had to carry-on
And now I hear the whistle blowin'
Down the San Antone
Well, my momma she done told me
Poppa done told me, too
"Son, that gal you foolin' with
She ain't no good for you"
But that's all right
That's all right
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
Well, I stand at my window
I hang my head and cry
I hate to lose that woman
Hate to say good-bye
But that's all right
That's all right
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
Well, baby, one of these mornings
And, lord, it won't be long
You're gonna look for me, baby
And daddy will be gone
But that's all right
That's all right
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
Comin' around the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since I don't know when
And I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I'm bound to stay and die
And when I hear the lonesome whistle
I hang my head down and cry
Well, now when I was a baby
My momma told me, "Son,
Always be a good boy
Don't you ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
And when I hear the lonesome whistle
I hang my head down and cry
Well, now if I was a railroad
If that old freight train was mine
I think I'd get it moving
Just a little down the line
But I knew I had it comin'
I had to carry-on
And now I hear the whistle blowin'
Down the San Antone
Well, my momma she done told me
Poppa done told me, too
"Son, that gal you foolin' with
She ain't no good for you"
But that's all right
That's all right
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
Well, I stand at my window
I hang my head and cry
I hate to lose that woman
Hate to say good-bye
But that's all right
That's all right
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
Well, baby, one of these mornings
And, lord, it won't be long
You're gonna look for me, baby
And daddy will be gone
But that's all right
That's all right
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
That's all right now, momma
Anyway that you do
Lyrics submitted by 3ric
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